The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to answer a series of queries on the legality of camel slaughtering and the rules governing it.
The First Bench of Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan wanted the authorities to address various aspects in connection with camel slaughtering including, whether slaughtering of camel is permitted in the State, and whether there are any abattoirs in existence exclusively for came slaughtering.
“Since camels are not found in the State, is there any prescribed mode and manner of transportation of these animals into the State? Whether Chennai Corporation Commissioner is empowered to declare any area as a slaughter area under the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 when under the Central Act on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 there are rules framed known as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules 2001,” the Bench added.
The Bench then granted a last opportunity to the Joint Secretary of Food Safety Department to file a counter affidavit addressing all the queries within two weeks, failing which the officer shall be directed to be present in the court with records.
The issue pertains to PIL pleas moved by Radha Rajan and a few others seeking to direct the authorities to ensure that no camel slaughtering takes place in Tamil Nadu.
The court then posted the pleas to August 18 for further hearing.
