The Madras High Court, on Friday, ordered notice to the Corporation and the Police in a Public Interest Litigation filed by Blue Cross of India against illegal transport and slaughter of camels in Tamil Nadu.
The petition said camels, having their habitat in States of Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat, were illegally transported either by foot or by vehicles in a cramped and illegal condition for slaughter for religious ceremonies like Bakr-id. This was in complete violation of transport rules of the State and also previous orders issued by the HC.
The camels were also “barbarically” killed in a “blunt and unsympathetic manner” in public places in violation of rules governing slaughter in the State. Slaughter of any animal is to be done in licensed slaughter houses as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules 2001, the petition said.
“The camels that are brought for slaughter have a right to be slaughtered in a dignified manner and not barbarically,” the petition said. Therefore, it prayed for directions to the respondents to ensure that the camels are brought into TN only in compliance of laws governing their transportation. Also, it wanted directions to ensure that the animals were slaughtered only in licensed slaughter houses.
Admitting the petition, the first bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice R K Agrawal and Justice M M Sundaresh or dered notices to respondents returnable by October 30.