Kolkata, The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to take a decision as per Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, regarding the exemption prayed for in view of Eid al-Adha.
Cal HC asks Bengal govt to take decision on exemption in animal slaughter rules for Eid ul-Adha A division bench presided by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul directed that considering the fact that the festival may take place on May 27 or 28, the state shall take a decision in this regard within 24 hours from the date of communication of this order.
“We are inclined to direct that the state shall take a decision in the teeth of Section 12 of the Act of 1950 regarding the exemption prayed for by certain petitioners,” the court directed.
The petitioners sought an exemption under Section 12 of the Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, for performing the religious rituals during the festival.
Senior lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, appearing for one petitioner, submitted before the court that the Act was framed in 1950, when agriculture was dependent on domestic animals, but at present, farming is technology-driven.
He stated that Section 12 of the Act provides for relaxation for religious purposes.
Bhattacharya also claimed that there has been a healthy growth in the cattle population over the years in West Bengal.
Opposing the prayers, the state and the Centre’s lawyers submitted that the notification imposing certain restrictions was issued as per the provisions of the Act and judgments of this
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