HC: Can’t ban animal slaughter in houses during Ramzan

The Delhi high court has refused to entertain a public interest litigation demanding ban on animal slaughtering inside residential premises in Delhi hinting that it could hurt religious sensitivities during the ongoing ramzan period for the time being.

The Delhi high court has refused to entertain a public interest litigation demanding ban on animal slaughtering inside residential premises in Delhi hinting that it could hurt religious sensitivities during the ongoing ramzan period for the time being.

The petitioner—NGO Citizens for the Welfare and Protection of Animals —has been asked to come back to the court after a month. The court assured the petitioner that it will look into their complaints then.

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The PIL questioned how the Municipal Corporation of Delhi commissioner could shirk his duty when it was specifically mentioned in the act that he had to designate specific areas for slaughtering of animals for religious purposes.

"A PIL on such an issue coming at such a juncture, I think it's religion-specific. Please come after a month," a bench of acting chief justice AK Sikri and justice RS Endlaw said.

Lawyer and animal rights activist Raj Panjwani who appeared for the NGO tried to convince the court saying the petition was not against any particular religion. However, the court was not convinced.

Panjwani said the illegal slaughtering inside various residential premises was rampant and it had to be stopped.