PIL on entry of camels: HC issues notice to state govt

MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Wednesday issued notice to government, others in a fresh Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking orders to prevent any transportation of camels into or out of Maharashtra by foot or on vehicles without compliance of the transport rules and also to prevent their killing for religious sacrifice particularly for the upcoming ‘Bakri Eid’ festival. The transport rules require adequate food, water and medical aid.
Each year before Bakri Eid hundreds of camels are transported from Rajasthan in “a merciless manner, which needs to be prevented,’’ said the PIL argued by advocates Gauraj Shah and Samaa Shah.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice SV Marne adjourned the matter and directed the state government pleader PP Kakade to take instructions in the matter.
The PIL by Pranin Foundation, based on Vadodara, Gujarat said a provision under the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of slaughter and regulation of temporary migration export) Act, 2015, totally prohibits export of camel outside the desert state.
The PIL said it is filed to “prevent illegal transportation of camels...particularly to Malegaon in Nashik district and Dhule district and also to Telangana via Maharashtra’’. The PIL has invoked the Cruelty to Animals Act. The HC adjourned the matter to July 19.