J-K high court’s beef ban trouble lands in SC now | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

J-K high court’s beef ban trouble lands in SC now

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Sep 30, 2015 08:36 AM IST

The beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir has pitted two benches of the high court against each other, forcing the government to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court so that “communal harmony is not disrupted” by inconsistent judicial pronouncements.

The beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir has pitted two benches of the high court against each other, forcing the government to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court so that “communal harmony is not disrupted” by inconsistent judicial pronouncements.

Kashmiri protesters run for cover as police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during a protest against the decision of the Jammu-Kashmir high court about implementing the ban on the sale of beef the state.(Abid Bhat/HT Photo)
Kashmiri protesters run for cover as police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during a protest against the decision of the Jammu-Kashmir high court about implementing the ban on the sale of beef the state.(Abid Bhat/HT Photo)

Acting on a public interest litigation, the high court’s Jammu bench on September 8 asked the police to strictly enforce the ban on selling beef as laid out in the Ranbir Penal Code.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A week later, the Srinagar bench issued a notice to the state government on a PIL seeking to strike down the constitutional provisions criminalising bovine slaughter in the border state.

Jammu and Kashmir, which enjoys a special status, has a separate constitution and criminal code — the Ranbir Penal Code.

Stumped by conflicting orders, the state government has requested the SC to “ensure that there is uniformity and consistency in the judicial pronouncements and there is no scope to exploit the present situation by disrupting communal harmony, amity and peace in the state.” The court is likely to take up the plea on Wednesday.

The government has also asked the court to decide the matter itself or set up an HC bench to settle the contentious orders, which, it said, had grave ramifications for the law and order situation in the state. The orders were being misused and interpreted to disrupt the peaceful fabric of the state, it said.

“There is a realistic possibility of the HC delivering two judgments, mutually contradictory, since two separate benches, are in seisin (seized) of the respective petitions,” the petition said.

The Jammu bench issued its directive on the first date of the hearing and didn’t even wait for its response before dictating the order, the government said.

The Srinagar bench on September 16 said the pending petition should not prevent the government or the assembly from scrapping the provision or amending the RPC.

The beef ban triggered widespread anger, with Kashmir-based separatists calling a shut down and protests. Fearing trouble on Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), the government shut down internet for three days. Services resumed on Monday.

Read:

Food bans are about appeasing majoritarian sentiments

VHP demands beef ban in Jharkhand a day after communal clashes

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Bhadra is a legal correspondent and reports Supreme Court proceedings, besides writing on legal issues. A law graduate, Bhadra has extensively covered trial of high-profile criminal cases. She has had a short stint as a crime reporter too.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On