JIV MAITRI TRUST Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have heard Ms Iyer, learned Senior Advocate for the Petitioners and Mr Sakhare, learned Senior Advocate for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai ("MCGM") at some length today. The present dispute pertains the policy for granting temporary permission for slaughtering sheeps/goats for festivals, special occasions etc.

(2.) The immediate concern is about the grant of permissions for sheeps/goats slaughtering at Bakri Eid on 12th August 2019. Our attention has been invited to various statutes including the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888, The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, The Aircraft Act and so on. We propose to take up these issues at a later stage at the fnal hearing of the Petition to lend some fnality since these questions seem to be repeated annually.

(3.) We have considered closely and carefully the policy placed before us on the last occasion (2nd August 2019) framed by the MCGM in regard to the the grant of these temporary permissions. This policy is said to be in the nature of guidelines under Section 403 (2)(e) of the MMC Act read with Section 403(1)(b).