Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday said that while the authorities cannot completely prevent animal slaughter in the city, they must ensure that action is taken against shops that slaughter illegally and without a licence. The court also said that the state government should ensure that there is no breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Food Safety and Standards Act.

A division bench headed by Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Ajay Marathe, raising concerns over illegal abattoirs operating across the city. The petition sought directions to municipal corporations for following ethical procedures such as rendering animals unconscious before slaughtering them. “The authorities cannot prevent slaughter completely as ultimately, it is food, but they can take action if there is any violation of the concerned acts.”