PIL in HC challenges provision prohibiting consumption of beef slaughtered outside Maha

Mumbai: A PIL has been in the Bombay High Court filed by a senior advocate challenging a provision in the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act banning consumption and possession of flesh of cows, bulls or bullocks slaughtered outside the state. The PIL, filed by senior lawyer Harish Jagtiani, was mentioned before a division bench of justices VM Kanade and AR Joshi which posted it for hearing on 6 April, when it will hear a similar petition filed by city resident Arif Kapadia. [caption id=“attachment_2182717” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] Similar to Kapadia’s petition, Jagtiani in his PIL has challenged section 5 (d) of the Act which prohibits possession and consumption of the meat of cow, bull and bullocks irrespective of where it is slaughtered. According to the petition, the flesh of these animals, if slaughtered outside Maharashtra, should be allowed inside the state. The petitions also challenged section 9 (A) of the Act which stipulates imprisonment of one year and fine up to Rs 2,000 for contravention of the provisions pertaining to the possession of beef. PTI