Advertise Animal Slaughter Norms In Print And Electronic Media: Calcutta HC To State [Read Order]

The Calcutta High Court, on Friday, directed the West Bengal Government to advertise the norms and guidelines related to animal slaughter in print and the electronic media.

“…the public at large may not be aware of the restrictions contained either in the judgments of the Court or in the Act of 1950 and the rules framed thereunder. This may lead to an innocent person being unaware of the restrictions falling foul of the restrictions leading to his prosecution,” the Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty opined.

The Court was hearing a PIL which had submitted that the State ought to inform the public at large about the restrictions imposed on animal sacrifices by the laws as well as various Supreme Court and High Court judgments.

The Court noted that a memorandum had been issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, Animal Resources Development Department to authorities such as the Police, District Magistrates and the Milk Commissioner, requesting them to ensure that the directives contained in the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001 are observed during the festival of Id-Ul-Zoha.

“In this view of the matter, we are of the opinion that the State should advertise both in the print and electronic media sufficiently in advance the restrictions which have been imposed by the judgments as well as those contained in the Act and Rules framed thereunder. These restrictions should be advertised at least a week before the Id-Ud-Zoha festival every year,” the Bench, thereafter, directed.