Bom HC intervenes after “Neil Armstrong” gets online permission to slaughter goats in courtroom

The Bombay High Court was caught by surprise recently when it was informed that municipal permissions for animal slaughter were so easily obtained online that even “Neil Armstrong” was permitted to kill goats in a courtroom..The shocking submission was made before a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Riyaz L Chagla on behalf of NGO, Jiv Maitri Trust, which had challenged the municipal authorities’ decision to grant online permissions for animal slaughter ahead of Bakri-Eid..The Court made note that according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, no person can kill animals in municipal areas except in recognised/licensed slaughterhouses..On the other hand, the Court was shown that permission was even granted to members of the Bar to do so at their office addresses..More brazenly, permission was also granted to slaughter animals in courtrooms. One such permission was even granted to a ‘Neil Armstrong’. As noted in the order,.“Shockingly, the learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner produced copies of two permissions which are taken on record. One permission is granted today to one Neil Armstrong permitting him to slaughter five goats in Room No. 13 of this Court..One more permission has been granted to one Shaun Vaz to slaughter five goats in Room No. 13 of this Court..… the learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner states that now it is revealed that a member of the Bar has been granted permission to slaughter four goats even in Room No. 52 of this Court.”.The Court thus concluded that the permissions being granted via online applications were without any verification or application of mind. In light of the same, the municipal authorities also undertook to stop the grant of online permissions forthwith..“Faced with the copies of the permissions placed on record, the learned counsel appearing for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation on instructions states that the process of granting online permissions will be immediately stopped. We accept the said statement.”.The Court went on to note that the case calls for more scrutiny in the manner in which permissions for animal slaughter are granted. Hence, it has been listed for fresh admission, to be taken up next week..Read the Order:.HT to @TheGoanPatiala