Ukd HC comes in aid to animals

The Uttarkhand High Court has issued a slew of directions to the state government for the welfare of cattle, including strict enforcement of the ban on cow slaughter and sale of beef.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajeev Sharma and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari issued the directions invoking the doctrine of 'parens patriae.' The doctrine allows courts to be the legal guardian of cows and other cattle.

Issuing 30-odd directions, the court ruled that "no one in Uttarakhand" would "slaughter or cause to be slaughtered or offer or cause to be offered for slaughter, any cow, bull, bullock, heifer or calf forthwith."