Man who moved HC to get his bull back told he is long dead

A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode, which had sought reply from the authorities was today informed that the animal died on November 25.

Muzammil Ansari had filed the petition alleging that the animal, which was meant to be sacrificed on Bakri-Eid, was taken away by police and the municipal corporation personnelin violation of his "fundamental right" to practice his religion, the petition said.

Since habeas corpus can be filed only for a person, the petition was later converted into a criminal petition.

A magistrate was inquiring into the cause of death, and the compensation, if any, to be paid to the owner would be decided after the inquiry, government lawyer said.

The bench then disposed of the petition.

Ansari had purchased the bull from Deonar abattoir for Rs 25,000. On October 8, 2011, Maruti Salunkhe, the second petitioner, hitched the bull to his bullock cart to take it to Ansari's house. On the way, the bull broke free; Ansari and others chased it, but in vain.

The petitioners later learned that DB Marg police had caught the bull and registered a case against unknown persons under Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, Animal Cruelty Act and Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.

Police refused to hand over the bull to Ansari. He then moved Girgaum Metropolitan Court, which directed police to release the animal, but police refused, so Ansari moved the High Court.