BackHC seeks Delhi govt’s response on plea for criminalization of beef eating and possession
The court made it clear that no decision will be taken till a similar case which is pending before the Supreme Court is decided
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New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued notice to the Delhi government in a plea challenging a law that criminalizes possession and consumption of beef in the National Capital Region centred on Delhi.
A bench comprising chief justice G. Rohini and justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal were hearing a public interest litigation filed by petitioner Gaurav Jain challenging provisions of the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994.
The court, however, made it clear that no decision will be taken till a similar case which is pending before the Supreme Court is decided.
Cattle protection laws of Madhya Pradesh that criminalize possession of beef are under challenge before the Supreme Court.
Jain, a law student claimed in his petition that he was detained by the Delhi Police in October for organizing a picnic for the consumption of meat.
The petitioner claims that the 1994 law, which criminalises possession of flesh of agricultural cattle, infringes on citizens’ fundamental right to food.
In May, the Bombay high court struck down similar provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which criminalized possession of beef, saying they infringed on a person’s right to privacy.
The case will be heard next on 14 September.
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