Bombay HC seeks BMC reply to plea against online license for Bakri Id

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corp-oration (BMC) commissioner to reply to the petition opposing online license issued by the civic body to sacrifice goats on Bakri Id.

According to the petitioner, BMC officers were allowing anyone to sacrifice goats without any verification. The court then directed the BMC commissioner to look into the matter and file a reply.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagala was hearing a petition filed by the Jeev Maitri Trust, stating that the Deonar abattoir was equipped with all facilities such as proper disposal of effluents. However, outside the abattoir, such facilities were not available.

The petition further stated that due to online license without verification, animals were being sacrificed on footpaths, pavements and in societies etc. This would lead to health hazards and severely affect the environment as well as the groundwater.

The petition stated that due to the online license, one person could sacrifice up to five goats in his locality, which was a violation of various acts and judgments of the Supreme Court. The petition further alleged that getting online license was fast and easy and no authority was verifying the authenticity of details provided by applicants.The petition sought quashing and setting aside of public notices issued by the BMC on July 24 in newspapers and on its official website. The petition also sought that all licenses issued by the authorities be cancelled.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the authorities to frame proper guidelines pertaining to animal sacrifice during Bakri Id. The petition also sought that the court direct authorities not to allow sale of goats and sacrifice of sheep outside  Deonar abattoir.