Shimla, Feb 20,
The State of Himachal Pradesh, along with others, has been issued notices in a matter involving illegal animal sacrifices at the Bhunda Mahayagya and other locations in the state. In a Supreme Court hearing held on February 19, the State of Himachal Pradesh requested additional time to respond to the allegations. The Court granted the State four weeks to file its counter affidavit, and the case will be heard again after this period.
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Notably, an application has been filed on behalf of Gauri Maulekhi, requesting the Court to direct authorities to take action against the illegal practice of animal sacrifice in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. The plea cites violations of an interim order issued by the Court on April 10, 2017, which had restricted such practices.
Also read:FIR lodged after shocking public animal sacrifice in Rohru
In the background of the matter, a Special Leave Petition (SLP) was filed against the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s prohibition of all types of animal sacrifices in religious and public places, as well as bullfighting to appease deities. In the matter before allowing the SLP, the Supreme Court had issued an interim stay on the High Court’s orders, permitting animal sacrifices under strict conditions while ensuring compliance with cruelty prevention laws.
The Supreme Court had directed that “the slaughter of animals can only be carried out in licensed slaughterhouses after compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act), the PCA (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2001 (Slaughterhouse Rules), the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, particularly Part IV of the Regulations; the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978; the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017; the Constitution of India, and prevailing environmental laws.”
Also read:FIR lodged after shocking public animal sacrifice in Rohru
However, the petitioner has now contended that reports of fresh mass sacrifices suggest a violation of the Supreme Court’s interim order. They argue that this has prompted a plea to lift the stay since the petitioners have not followed the conditions set by the apex court before obtaining relief from the High Court’s ruling. The fresh incidents indicate that the interim order has been disregarded, leading to demands for stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws, as contended by the petitioner.
The case was heard by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Aravind Kumar.
Why Intervention sought
The intervention application filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and activist Gauri Maulekhi highlighted recent incidents of animal sacrifice at the Bhunda Mahayagya, emphasizing the violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Senior Counsel Esha Dutta, appearing for the intervention applicants, strongly urged the prosecution of the Bhunda Mahayagya organizers under cruelty laws for these fresh violations, reinforcing the need for immediate action against those responsible.
“The unbridled practice of ritualistic animal sacrifice in public places without following the applicable laws/standards gives rise to the spread of zoonotic diseases, endangering public health and safety standards,” stated the petitioner. Adding, “The illegal slaughter of animals also discharges harmful effluents like blood into nearby water bodies and groundwater through seepage, releasing obnoxious gases into the air, which directly affects and compromises public health, as there are no waste processing units and no permissions to carry out such slaughter by the State Pollution Control Board, as mandated by the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.”
The petitioner further added that despite the court order issued on April 10, 2017, prohibiting animal sacrifice, the practice continues in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, posing serious risks to public health and the environment. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, specific hygiene and safety standards must be followed by those handling meat products. However, animal sacrifices conducted in public places violate these norms, making the meat unfit for human consumption and increasing the risk of disease. Additionally, improper disposal of waste from such sacrifices, including blood, bones, and hides, leads to severe water pollution, contaminating water bodies and attracting vermin. The Central Pollution Control Board classifies the slaughter industry as highly polluting, yet authorities have failed to act against these violations, disregarding the court’s directives and allowing the illegal practice to persist.
Also read:Bhunda Mahayagya: Legal notice over alleged animal sacriifice
The petitioners also cited the legal notice previously served to the event organizers and the Shimla administration, calling for strict enforcement of court orders prohibiting such practices. Authorities have been urged to take preventive measures to stop illegal sacrifices and to submit an action report in response.
In the matter, the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing will be crucial in determining whether legal safeguards against religious animal sacrifice are upheld and whether violations of previous court orders will lead to further judicial action. The State must now submit its counter affidavit within four weeks, after which the Supreme Court will review the responses and arguments from both sides. The administration’s compliance report and any preventive measures undertaken will also be scrutinized in the next hearing.
Further updates will follow as the matter progresses.
