The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) to grant permission to operate temporary places of slaughter for the upcoming Bakri Eid on July 10.
Last year, the HC had restrained the BNMC, which doesn’t have a legal abattoir, to grant permissions to operate temporary places of slaughter without court’s permission.
A bench of Justices AK Menon and MS Karnik allowed the BNMC to grant permission after the corporation informed the HC that it had adopted the policy in line with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for granting permission for temporary places of slaughter.
Advocate Bubna, advocate for the BNMC, informed the HC that it has drafted its policy and will take necessary precautions for the upcoming festival.
The HC, on Monday, had directed a senior officer of BNMC to remain present in the court. As per court directions, head of Law Department of BNMC, Anil Pradhan, was present in the court.
Joel Carlos, advocate for the BMC, informed the HC that it will grant temporary permission for places of slaughter for the festival in accordance with its policy.
The court has also asked the Maharashtra government to ensure that necessary police protection is provided to ensure that no law and order situation arises.
The government pleader ensured the HC that it will provide necessary police protection wherever required. Also, the certain places where the CCTV cameras were not functional, will be made operational.
The HC was hearing a petition filed by NGO Jiv Maitri Trust alleging violation of earlier HC orders, which restrained the slaughtering of sacrificial animals on the occasion of Bakri Eid in temporary slaughterhouses.
Last year, the HC had directed the commissioners of BNMC and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to ensure that sacrificing animals does not take place in illegal temporary slaughterhouses on Eid-ul Adha or Bakri Eid which was to be celebrated between July 21 and 23 last year and same be carried out in licensed and recognized slaughterhouses only.
