The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra government why animals such as goats are not covered by its ban on cattle slaughter. A division bench of Justices V.M. Kanade and A.R. Joshi was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging a provision under section 5 (d) of the recently amended Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which bans possession and consumption of meat of cows and bulls. “Why has the State banned only cows, bulls and bullocks? What about other animals like goat?” the bench asked. To this, Advocate General Sunil Manohar said the government was considering it. “This is just the start. We may consider banning slaughter of other animals too.”
The court also suggested that the government introduce a licence policy for import of meat.
Senior counsel Aspi Chinoy, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued that section 5 (d) of the Act was arbitrary and against the fundamental right of a citizen.
