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The Palamur beagles case: a timeline

By Animal Writes ·

Palamur Biosciences Pvt Ltd runs a preclinical contract research laboratory and beagle breeding facility at Bhoothpur, Mahabubnagar, in Telangana, registered with the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA). Since it has been the subject of inspections, a police case and two petitions in the Delhi High Court. Palamur has denied the allegations. This is what happened, in order.

DateWhat happened
20–US FDA investigators inspect the facility’s Good Laboratory Practice studies for medical devices (FDA letter).
PETA India reports abuse and neglect of animals at the facility to CCSEA and other authorities, based on whistleblower evidence.
11–A multidisciplinary committee authorised by CCSEA, with members from CCSEA, the Animal Welfare Board of India and others, inspects the facility.
The committee’s report finds “entrenched structural, procedural, and ethical failures” in housing, veterinary care, euthanasia and records, and calls for removal and rehabilitation of animals and a review of Palamur’s registration.
16–PETA India files a police complaint on 16 June. Boothpur police register an FIR under the BNSS, Sections 34, 269, 289, 337 and 429 of the IPC and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, reported on 18 June as the first against an animal experimentation lab in India.
CCSEA issues a public notice telling all registered establishments to “disregard” PETA India’s letters about Palamur, saying they “hold no legal weight”. The same day it sets up a second committee.
28–The second committee inspects the facility for a micro-audit. Its report is dated .
On PETA India’s petition, the Delhi High Court issues notice to CCSEA and Palamur, orders interim steps for the animals and bars Palamur from procuring or housing any new animals. CCSEA’s counsel accepts that the 17 June report substantiates the allegations.
17–The court orders a third inspection with a Local Commissioner. It takes place without her. PETA India says its report of 24 July “virtually gives a clean chit”; the court later calls that inspection “mired in controversy”.
The court orders a fresh inspection by a three-member team within three weeks. CCSEA must act on any deficiencies and Palamur must take “immediate rectificatory steps”. The ban on new animals ends once the inspection is done, and the petition is closed.
The US FDA sends Palamur a warning letter citing “serious violations” of its Good Laboratory Practice regulations.
In a new PETA India petition, the Delhi High Court issues notice to CCSEA. The petition asks for the rehabilitation of 73 beagles and other animals, cancellation of Palamur’s registration, and publication of animal-use data by labs.

The 73 beagles

The inspection counted 73 dogs, 62 male and 11 female, that the facility said were “under rehabilitation”, with no written records. PETA India told the court in that the dogs are still at the laboratory and that Palamur turned down an offer from Freagles, which rehomes beagles retired from labs.

What Palamur says

Palamur denied the allegations and told ThePrint in that it upholds “the highest standards” of ethical research. In its counsel told the High Court that it follows its licences and the law, and would fix any shortcomings found.

Why it matters for the draft rules

The inspection committee asked for a detailed audit of Palamur’s own Institutional Animals Ethics Committee (IAEC). Under the 2026 draft rules, a lab’s own IAEC would approve all mild and moderate experiments on every species, including dogs (Rule 11(3)). Who approves an animal experiment under the draft · Our report on the FDA letter.

Objections to the draft lab animal rules can be sent to CCSEA until . Write and send yours in two minutes.

Sources

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