Mumbai High Court allows Beef import from other states

Mumbai: In an important ruling, the Bombay High court on Friday allowed import of Beef slaughtered outside Maharashtra as it struck down certain provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which stipulated penal action even for possession of beef brought from outside the state. would not be a criminal offence.

The Court,however, upheld the Maharashtra government's last year decision to ban the slaughter of bulls and bullocks in the state. The ruling clearly meant that while slaughter of bullocks would not be permitted, the import and consumption of beef from other states to Maharashtra would be allowed.

A division bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice SC Gupte gave the ruling on a bunch of petitions challenging the provisions in the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which was given assent to by the President of India in February last year.

The Act stipulated a five-year jail term and Rs 10,000 fine for slaughter of bulls or bullocks and one-year imprisonment and Rs 2,000 fine for possession of its meat.

Arif Kapadia, a city resident, and noted lawyer Harish Jagtiani had challenged the provision which says mere possession of beef anywhere in the state is a crime. Another lawyer Vishal Sheth and Shaina Sen, a student, in separate petitions had contended that the ban on beef violated fundamental rights of citizens.

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