SC notice on beef ban in Maharashtra

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Maharashtra government on a petition challenging a Bombay High Court order permitting consumption of beef brought from states that allow cow slaughter.

In this April 2, 2015 photo, a devout Hindu Rajeev Sharma feeds cows at a shelter for cows in New Delhi, India. Cows have traditionally been revered in India as Hindus consider the animal sacred. As a resurgent Hindu majority pushes for a nationwide ban o

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Maharashtra government on a petition challenging a Bombay High Court order permitting consumption of beef brought from states that allow cow slaughter.

A bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and D.Y. Chandrachud issued notice on the plea by Akhil Bharat Krishi Go Sewa Sangh after counsel Manish Singhvi contested that part of the high court verdict which allowed bringing ino Maharashtra bovine meat from the states where their slaughtering is legal.

However, another group of 30 individuals also moved the top court challenging that part of the verdict which upheld the Maharashtra Animals Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2015.

The group has challenged the ban, asserting its right to choose its food.

The high court verdict had come on May 6.