Mumbai: Asking the Maharashtra government why animals like goats do not figure in its ban on cattle slaughter, the Bombay High Court today mooted a licence policy by which import of meat of cows and bulls slaughtered outside the state can be permitted.
A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and A R Joshi was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging a provision under section 5 (d) of the recently amended Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which bans possession and consumption of meat of animals like cows and bulls. According to the petitions, the flesh of these animals, if slaughtered outside Maharashtra, should be allowed inside the state. “Why has the state banned only cows, bulls and bullocks? What about other animals like goat?” the bench asked.
To this, Advocate General Sunil Manohar said the government was considering it.
“This is just the start (banning of cows, bulls and bullocks). We may consider banning slaughter of other animals too. As of now the state felt it was necessary to protect cows, bulls and bullocks,” he said. The court also suggested that the government have a licence policy by which import of meat of cattle slaughtered outside the state can be permitted. “Section 5 (d) of the Act which is under challenge does not prohibit slaughter of cattle outside the state.
Why should a person be prevented to eat or possess beef that has been slaughtered outside? Indirectly you (government) are prohibiting slaughter of animals outside the state too,” Justice Kanade said.
The bench directed the government to file its affidavit in reply to the petitions and posted the hearing on April 20. (PTI)
