Bombay HC won’t modify order banning slaughter

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has refused to modify its order pertaining to the sacrifice of animals during Bakri Id. Some citizens had approached the court seeking a modification of its recent order banning animal sacrifice within flats and building premises without their society’s no-objection certificate (NOC).

Also as per the order, permission to slaughter animals would not be granted to societies situated within a one-kilometre radius of community spaces.

A division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhi-kari and Justice Gautam Patel was hearing a plea filed by Mashfooq Safi and others, requesting the court to allow animal sacrifice in the society premises even if the society committee refused.

Advocate Rizwan Merc-hant, who appeared for one of the applicants, informed the court that it was very difficult for people to carry animals to the nearest community sacrifice centre and bring back the flesh in auto-rickshaws and taxis.  “It will create chaos as well as a law and order problem in the city,” he said, requesting the court to allow sacrifice in the building and in flats for this year only, and implement the BMC guidelines from next year.

Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte, another counsel of the applicants, argued, “If residential societies refuse permission for animal sacrifice, how can those people celebrate their festival?”

An irked bench then said, “Isn’t this festival celebrated in London, New York, Paris or Muslim countries like Riyadh? Do these countries allow sacrifice anywhere on the streets?”

“This (Mumbai) is not only a city but a mega city with a very high population. For us, the safety and hygiene of the citizens is most important,” the bench said.

The Bombay high court Tuesday passed an order on a bunch of petitions stating that animals cannot be slaughtered in flats during festivals.