Bombay HC Asks State-Appointed Panel To Finalise Guidelines For Slaughter Of 'Unuseful' Cattle Under Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act

The Maharashtra Government informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday (April 22) that it has constituted a committee headed by a former judge of the high court to lay down guidelines for the slaughter of animals which are 'not useful' for certain purposes provided under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.The Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act aims to prohibit the slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks that are useful for milching (milk production), breeding, draught or agricultural purposes and also to restrict slaughter for the preservation of other animals suitable for the said purposes. A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik directed a committee constituted by the State government to lay down such guidelines for the slaughter of animals within 4 months. The Court passed the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation praying for the State government to interpret the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. The petitioners were aggrieved by an order passed by the Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, by which their representation to define 'animals' not suitable for milching, breeding, draught or agricultural purposes under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act was rejected.The petitioners sought directions from the State Government to fix the age for bulls and cattle available for slaughter by interpreting the said Act.During the hearing today, the Additional Government Pleader submitted that on February 20 this year the State government appointed a committee headed by a former judge of the High Court to evolve guidelines for the slaughter of animals not suitable for purposes mentioned in the Act. The Court noted that the expression 'not useful' has not been defined under the Act and thus it is necessary to lay down the guidelines. Taking note of the State's submission, the Court directed the committee to lay down appropriate guidelines within 4 months of the receipt of the order. It also granted liberty to the petitioners to put forth their views before the said committee. Case title: Al-Quraish Human Welfare Association & Ors vs. The State Of Maharashtra (PIL/21/2024) Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Bom) 152Click Here To Read/Download Order

Bombay HC Asks State-Appointed Panel To Finalise Guidelines For Slaughter Of 'Unuseful' Cattle Under Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act

Sanjana Dadmi

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