Issue Circular Today Indicating Regulatory Measures & Procedures For Maintaining Social Distancing At Deonar Abattoir; Bombay HC Directs BMC Ahead Of Eid Tomorrow [Read Order]
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to issue a fresh circular today indicating regulatory measures as well as the procedures for maintaining social distancing to be adhered to by one and all at Deonar abattoir ahead of the Eid-Al-Adha festival on Saturday.Division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sarang Kotwal were hearing a PIL...
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to issue a fresh circular today indicating regulatory measures as well as the procedures for maintaining social distancing to be adhered to by one and all at Deonar abattoir ahead of the Eid-Al-Adha festival on Saturday.
Division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sarang Kotwal were hearing a PIL filed by Al Qureshi Human Welfare Association seeking directions to the Municipal Corporation and the State to make available places for the sacrifice of water buffaloes on the auspicious occasion of Bakra-Eid which is scheduled to be held on August 1 to August 3 in the Mumbai District and its Suburban Districts and/or at Deonar Abattoir, at Govandi (West), Mumbai.
Advocate AA Siddique appeared on behalf of the petitioners, AGP Geeta Shastri for the State and Senior Advocate AY Sakhare for the Corporation.
Advocate Siddiqui submitted that just like the petitioner, there are several other NGOs who would handle the animal sacrificing procedure at the abattoir. We will maintain social distancing and all other norms prescribed, Siddiqui said.
Whereas, Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare told the court the number of sacrifices permitted at the said abattoir at Deonar this year has been reduced by one-third. Court noted that the Maharashtra government had this year called for symbolic sacrifices for Bakrid due to the prevalent situation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After hearing all parties via video conferencing, Court noted-
"Particularly having regard to the fact that the Eid festival is to commence from tomorrow, we see no reason to keep the PIL petition pending. The same stands disposed of with a direction upon the competent authority of the Municipal Corporation to issue a circular by today, indicating therein the regulatory measures as well as the procedures for maintaining social distancing to be adhered to by one and all at Deonar Abattoir, for offering sacrifices relatable to such festival. The Municipal Corporation, the civil administration and the police administration shall ensure that there is no remissness in abiding by the terms of the circular to be issued in terms of this order."
Thus, with the above directions, the PIL was disposed of.
[Read Order]