Bakrid: Telangana High Court Directs State To Strictly Implement Animal Welfare Laws Across State

Amid the ongoing Bakrid celebrations, the Telangana High Court has directed the State Government and Director General of Police to take all precautionary measures to strictly implement Animal Welfare Laws and stop illegal killing of animals in the State.

The order was passed by Justice K. Lakshman while hearing a writ petition filed by the NGO Gau Gyan Foundation, challenging the actions of Police officials in not taking any action against the illegal transporting of animals, despite a particular complaint being raised in this regard through WhatsApp.

"The respondents are directed to take all precautionary measures to strictly implement the Animal Welfare Laws to stop illegal killing of animals and to take stringent action against the offenders violating the animal laws i.e. Act, 1960, Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001, Slaughter House Rules, 2001, Municipal Laws and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directions for slaughtering of animals during Bakrid Festival," the order stated.

The Court added that the respondents should more particularly ensure implementation of the directions issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India in its proceedings dated June 25, 2021 and orders passed by the High Court itself in other PILs.

Direction is also made to the concerned Police officers to register a FIR on the basis of complaint made by the Petitioner NGO. It had alleged that a vehicle was carrying about 50 cows and young bulls without complying with requirements like (i) fitness certificate, maintaining distance between each animal (by compartmentalization), etc. Further, it was alleged that the animals were being transported in standing position, thus amounting to cruelty. 

The Petitioner sought for appointment of a task force team along with the nodal officers for proper implementation of Telangana State Prohibition and Preservation of Cow Slaughter Act, 1977 and Transportation Animal laws as per the Motor Vehicle Act.

The Bench after hearing the matter in detail issued a series of directions to the Director-General of Police and other police officials more particularly to follow and implement all the orders with relation to the transportation of animals passed by the division bench earlier.

The matter has been posted on August 2nd for reports by the Director-General of Police for the action taken by the police officials. 

Case Title: Gau Gyan Foundation v. State of Telangana & Ors.