The Russian Circus on Ice has been plagued with problems since it landed in India in November 2004.
* On November 25, 2004, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (under the Ministry of Agriculture) wrote to Choice Events and Trade Private Limited saying the sea lions, dogs and cats were imported to India without valid licences. The quarantine officer in Mumbai had advised that the circus animals be sent back to country of origin (Russia)
* On November 29, 2004, the customs superintendent of Kolkata summoned the event management firm for illegally importing live animals (sea lions). Customs then seized the four sea lions, estimated to cost $ 20,000
* Choice Events petitioned the high court at Kolkata claiming to have all necessary permits to perform with animals and managed to get a stay
* Circus moved to Mumbai in January 2005. On February 5, the Animal Welfare Board of India moved Bombay High Court asking it to disallow the use of animals in the circus acts
* ‘‘They didn’t have permission to perform according to Registration for Performance rule (2001), so we moved court. Things should have been taken seriously,’’ said Col J C Khanna, director of the animal welfare board
* On March 17, the high court allowed the use of animals despite the welfare board inspection committee’s concern about the living condition of the animals