Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha noted that the appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s 2017 order was delayed by 358 days
Release date – Friday 23 July – 09:30pm
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition challenging the constitutional validity of a provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that allows the slaughter of any animal for religious purposes.
The petition argues that Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 cannot continue after Section 51-A is inserted into the Constitution because every citizen has a constitutional duty to empathize with living creatures.
It seeks instructions to end animal sacrifice in the name of religion.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha noted that the appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s 2017 order was delayed by 358 days.
“The filing of the special leave petition has been delayed for 358 days, which has not been satisfactorily explained. Accordingly, without any comment on the legal issues raised, the special leave petition has been dismissed on the grounds of delay,” the judge said.
Senior Counsel Hari Sahankar Jain represented petitioner Gopeshwar Goshala Samiti.
The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal against the Allahabad High Court’s 2017 order dismissing Samiti’s request.
The complaint alleges that killing animals in the most inhumane manner violates decency, morality, and the public interest, as well as the principles enshrined in Section 51-A(g) and (h) of the Constitution.
“It was raised that any member of any community is prohibited from slaughtering animals including camels or for any other religious purpose on Bakri Eid or for any other religious purpose and may instruct respondents to ensure that no one is allowed to slaughter on Bakri Eid or for any other purpose. Any other purpose or any religious purpose anywhere, and the provisions of the PCA and the rules made thereunder must be carried out in letter and spirit.”
