Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Bombay HC's Animal Slaughter Ruling

New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) - The Supreme Court on Friday declined to provide an urgent hearing on a petition against the Bombay High Court's decision that allowed animal slaughter for Eid-ul-Azha and Urs at the dargah located at Vishalgad Fort in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district.

The fort, classified as a protected monument, had restrictions on animal and bird slaughter, as per authorities. However, the high court's June 3 order allowed the practice, prompting the plea for urgent appeal before Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma.

The petitioner emphasized the high court's permission for animal slaughter within the monument area for the upcoming Urs, lasting until June 12. The bench noted the prevalence of numerous religious activities occurring within protected monuments.

The lawyer referenced a specific notification from the Maharashtra state that generally prohibits animal slaughter in such protected zones. Last year similar approval was given by the high court, allowing animal slaughter inside enclosed premises.

The bench recalled a past instance where Justice Karol, while serving in the Tripura High Court, had banned animal slaughter, which was later modified to permit it within enclosed locations, highlighting the judicial precedent.

As the counsel pushed for the matter to be listed next week, the bench remarked skeptically on the urgency, suggesting that the issue may become moot by then. A vacation bench of the high court had previously heard the application from Hazrat Peer Malik Rehan Dargah Trust, advocating for animal slaughter.

Permissions granted by the high court encompassed both the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations on June 7 and the Urs from June 8 to 12. This approval applies not only to the trust but also to other devotees, mirroring the temporary concessions made the previous year.

Last year’s conditions stipulated that the animal slaughter should occur strictly in a private, enclosed space, specifically at Mubarak Usman Mujawar’s Gate No. 19, avoiding public areas.

The Deputy Director of Archaeology originally prohibited sacrifices at the fort, referencing the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. The trust, defending its practice, described it as an "age-old tradition" performed on private land situated 1.4 km from the fort, emphasizing the distribution of meat to attending pilgrims and nearby villagers.

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