Ahead of Bakri Eid celebration on August 1, the Gujarat High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to ensure that no person kills any animal at public or private places, Mohalla or in the lane in the manner visible to other people. This is in line with the notification issued by the Commissioner of Ahmedabad and, through a notification by the State Government, will be in all areas of the Commissionerate across the State.A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by a resident of Rajkot seeking direction to regulate celebration of Eid-Al-Adha and a complete ban on the slaughtering of goat/sheep/buffalo/male buffalo and consumption of such meat that has not been cleared as fit for consumption by the Veterinary Officer; for a period between July 31, 2020, to August 1, 2020.The petitioner expressed apprehension that having regard to the current pandemic situation, there should be an absolute ban on the slaughtering of animals and consumption of meat that has not been certified as fit for consumption by a competent officer in law.He added that every year, animals are being slaughtered on the day of "Bakri Eid" onroads, footpaths, and public places. This, according to him, might lead to a serious health hazard.Opposing the PIL, the Advocate General for the State submitted that the notification issued by Ahemdabad's Police Commissioner on July 25 had duly taken care of the situation highlighted by the petitioner.After perusing the said notification, a division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice J B Pardiwala expressed its satisfaction and declined to adjudicate any further.The bench, however, directed "We may only say that such Notification be issued at the earliest in all areas of the Commissionerate across the State. The Notification on the same line shall be issued by all the Police Superintendents of the respective districts across the State of Gujarat"..Read the Order.http://theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WPPIL1102020_GJHC240308392020_1_30072020.pdf
