Bombay High Court Declines To Stay Beef Ban Law In Maharashtra

29 April, Mumbai

The Bombay High Court today declined to stay provisions of a recent Maharashtra law which prohibits possession, transportation and consumption of meat of cow, bulls and bullocks even if the animals have been slaughtered outside Maharashtra.

A division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade was of the view that no stay can be granted until the final hearing of a bunch of petitions challenging the beef ban which is fixed for 25th June.

The court also directed the state not to take any coercive action against traders who have been found in possession or transportation of beef till pendency of the petitions . It said the police should not invade the privacy of citizens.

The court said the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act had been introduced suddenly and reasonable time was not given to the traders to dispose of their products. The court, however, said FIRs can be registered against such traders but no further action can be taken until the petitions are decided.