Bombay High Court Directs State To Allow E-Complaints For Illegal Animal Slaughter

The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to prominently display its policy regarding animal sacrifice during religious ceremonies, as well as the e-mail address and toll-free numbers for complaints on its website, atleast during festivals where such animals’ sacrifice/slaughtering takes place.

The division bench of acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep Marne also directed BMC to make the grievance redressal forum regarding animal slaughters available to the citizens by way of email.

"...we direct that the Municipal Corporation should also make the Grievance Forum available to complainants/citizens by way of an email. The policy, e-mail address and toll-free numbers also shall be prominently displayed on the website of the Municipal Corporation, at least for the concerned period", the court said it its order dated June 8, 2023.

The court was hearing a writ petition filed by NGO JIV Maitri Trust in 2018 challenging various public notices issued by BMC regarding animal slaughter.

In August 2018, the court had observed that the BMC must frame a policy for regulation of religious festivals/events where animals’ sacrifice takes place. In August 2019, the court passed an order expecting BMC to maintain all applicable safety, hygienic and public safety norms regarding animal slaughter. Thereafter, a policy was framed for granting temporary NOCs for animal slaughter on any festival or ceremony.

Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare for the BMC informed the court that the policy is revised from time to time as per need. Sakhare also informed the court that BMC has given public notice in newspaper with a toll-free number for lodging complaints.

The court noted that BMC will deal with the applications for permission as per the existing policy, as revised from time to time.

The court also recorded Sakhare's submission that once complaints are received on the helpline, email etc., specific task force would be available 24x7 to redress the issue.

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