The Bombay High Court on Thursday refused to stay the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) permission for 67 private shops and 47 municipal markets to slaughter animals for three days around Bakri Eid.
The court noted that the petitioners had not followed legal procedures, such as filing an interim application for interim relief.
A division bench of Justices MS Sonak and Kamal Khata were hearing petitions challenging a BMC communication dated May 29, which allowed slaughtering outside the Deonar abattoir, a slaughterhouse, in Mumbai.
The petitioners’ advocates argued that BMC’s policy does not permit slaughtering at public places, including bus stops and airports. However, the BMC communication allowed slaughtering at mutton shops, which are not included in the policy.
They further argued that the policy requires a 30-day notice for BMC permission, making the communication against BMC’s policy.
BMC advocate Milind Sathe contended that such applications are typically made just before festivals, leaving petitions pending year-round. He noted that the communication granted permission to only 67 private shops and 47 municipal markets for three days, June 17, 18, and 19.
He also mentioned that similar permissions were granted previously without challenge.
The bench noted that the petitioners were seeking interim relief through a precipie, not a plea, stating, “We are not sure if this is the appropriate way to seek interim relief in a pending case.”
Source Agencies
