Uttarakhand HC directs state to comply to its order to shut down illegal slaughter houses

NAINITAL: Uttarakhand high court on Tuesday directed the state government to ensure compliance of its order to close down all illegal slaughter houses in the state.
In September 2018, the court had ordered all illegal slaughter houses in the state to be “sealed within 72 hours”. The HC had also directed to ensure that no animal is slaughtered on the streets or in the open.The directions came after a public interest litigation (PIL) placed before the court pictures of animals being slaughtered brutally in the open.
The court had observed, “It is the duty cast upon all the executive officers of the local self-government, municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats and other panchayats to ensure that no animal is slaughtered in the public streets/paths/roads and in spaces open to public gaze.”
On Tuesday, executive officers of municipal bodies of Mangalore, Haridwar district and Nainital Municipal Corporation filed affidavit of undertaking in the court that by July 15, 2019 they will ensure running of legally compliant slaughter houses in their municipalities.
Two residents of Nainital district, Zakir Hasan and Mohammad Yunus, had filed a petition in the court last month seeking re-opening of slaughter houses that were complying with required norms.
After their plea, the court had directed the state government to re-open slaughter houses which are ready to comply with norms.