Maha, BMC told to inform abattoirs policy during Idd-uz-Zoha

Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice A A Sayed directed the state government and the BMC to jointly make a statement tomorrow on a PIL demanding the temporary facility for three days during the festival.

The PIL was filed by Yasmin Ali Shaikh, social worker Shamsa Zaheer Shaikh and police officer-turned-politician Shamsher Khan Pathan.

The petitioners argued that the slaughter house at Deonar can not cater to all people bringing animals for sacrifice and there was a need to provide temporary slaughter houses during the three-day festival. They also alleged that some organisations stop vehicles carrying animals and harass them.

Justices D Y Chandrachud and A A Sayed directed Advocate General Darius Khambata to inform about the state government's stand on temporary slaughter houses.

Khambata said the government had instructed police to ensure that there was no harassment to people carrying animals in vehicles for sacrifice.

"There is police bandobast at some places to give protection. However, such protection cannot be given everywhere," he said.

In their plea, the petitioners argued that the BMC has provided only one slaughter house/abattoir at Deonar for the entire city of Mumbai.

"This results in heavy rush of devout Muslims taking animals for sacrifice at Deonar and no proper facilities are available at the slaughter house to cater to the needs of so many people," the PIL said. (More)