New Delhi, Aug 2 - Holding the Delhi government and its veterinary department guilty of medical negligence which resulted in the death of 19 buffaloes in 2003, a consumer court here asked them to pay the owner compensation of Rs.500,000.

The district consumer forum of Janakpuri passed the order on the complaint of a west Delhi dairy owner Shambhu Dayal, who approached the court after 19 of his 22 buffaloes died following treatment by the veterinary doctor at the government hospital.

The forum, headed by J.P. Sharma held veterinarian Satish Kumar Dawas, who was working with the animal husbandry department, guilty as he failed to diagnose the buffaloes' disease.

It also held the Delhi chief secretary, and the director and commissioner (development) of the animal husbandry department responsible and ordered them to pay the compensation jointly.