A petition filed by Snehal Bhatt, secretary of Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), contended that the circus had been exhibiting animals in contravention to a Government of India notification, dated October 14, 1998, which expressly prohibits anyone from exhibiting animals notified as endangered or protected species for performance or otherwise.

Counsel Anand Yagnik, appearing for Bhatt, drew the attention of the court to Section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which states that animals falling under the endangered species category cannot be used in the circus. He also submitted that the state government should enforce the Central Government's notification and prevent any circus from exhibiting theseanimals in their shows.

The court, while admitting the matter, directed the Great Royal Circus not to exhibit the notified animals in the circus. It also issued notices to the Collector, Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner of Vadodara, state government's Chief Conservator of Forest and Director General of Police.

According to Yagnik, the effect of the court's order is far-reaching and no circus will now be able to exhibit the notified animals in its show in the state.