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Judgment
Dr. K. Manmadha Rao, J
This writ petition is filed for not acting upon the petitioner’s representation dated 22.03.2024 against the culprits for illegal staking of cattle for slaughtering purpose in Vijayawada City surroundings without proper certification or documentation by the 8th respondent, as illegal and arbitrary.
The main grievance of the petitioner is that he made a representation to the respondent authorities concerned to take serious measures to prevent slaughtering of permitted live stocks by the authorities only in permitted places like licensed slaughtering places identified by the Local Government authorities and strictly prevent the slaughtering in public places like on road, in public ground, open areas, community halls etc. to maintain peace in people belongs to various other religions in the residential areas, colonies and communities in the city.
Heard Sri Gangisetti Uma Sankar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner; learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondents No.1, 4, 9 and 10; learned Assistant Government Pleader for Municipal Administration appearing for the respondent No.3 and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue appearing for the respondent No.5.
On hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that even though the petitioner made a representation to prevent the slaughtering at public places, without obtaining proper certificates and proper documentation from veterinary surgeon, they are illegally slaughtering in public places. He further submits that last year also it was done in open place and the same was also came to the light of the Courts and this Hon’ble Court has also gave some directions to that effect. The main endeavour of the petitioner counsel is that the respondent authorities have to follow strict implementation of the orders of this Court.
Per contra, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home has placed a copy of order of this Court dated 08.05.2024 passed in WP (PIL) No.102 of 2024, wherein this Court while disposing of the writ petition directed the respondents to place the orders of appointment of the Nodal Officers as also the proof that the said appointment has been widely publicized in the media including the print media before the Registrar (Judicial). He further submits that in compliance of the above order, the Government has already appointed Nodal Officers vide Memorandum Rc.No.1015/L&O-III/2024, dated 20.05.2024, which is at page No.15 of the material papers. Learned Assistant Government Pleader further submits that, in compliance of the above order, the respondent authorities are following the guidelines issued by animal Welfare Board to take preventive steps like check points wide publicity of legal position to prevent illegal transport and slaughtering of animals in violation of statute rules for upcoming bakrid.
Sri D. Prasad Kumar, Inspector, Bhavanipuram Circle, who appeared in-person, submits that, as per instructions of the Government authorities, they have already taken steps to implement the orders of this Court like fixing Check-posts, police pickets at Ramavarappadu Ring Road, Ibrahimpatnam and Prakasam Barage (Varadhi) circles around clockwise. Meanwhile, without obtaining any certification from the Veterinary Doctor and Team of Doctors, slaughtering will not be done.
As seen from the representation of the petitioner dated 22.03.2024, the petitioner requested respective authorities to take immediate action to ensure the strict enforcement and obedience of the orders of this Court. Further, all concerned parties must comply with the directions without any further delay.
On perusing the material on record, earlier, it is observed that, earlier the Animal Rescue Organization has filed several writ petitions (PILs) before a Division Bench of this Court and the same were disposed of and this Court has directed the respondent authorities to appoint Nodal Officers. For non-compliance of the orders of this Court, the Animal Rescue Organization has also preferred WP(PIL) No.102 of 2024 before this Court. This Court, vide order, dated 08.05.2024, has again directed the authorities to appoint Nodal Officers. Later, in compliance of the above order, the respondent authorities have appointed Nodal Officers (26 in Number) which is placed as material papers at page No.15 to 17, wherein it is mentioned that the Nodal Officers are appointed at State Level and District Level and stated that to furnish the action taken report directly to the DIG (Legal) under intimation. It is further mentioned that the CPRO, CO, AP is requested to give wide publicity to the Nodal Officers who are appointed at State Level and District Level in the media including print media and furnish action taken report directly to the said DIG (Legal).
Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and on hearing the submissions of both the learned counsels, this Court is of the opinion that, already this Court has passed orders for appointment of Nodal Officers. In compliance of the same, the respondent authorities have already appointed Nodal Officers vide Memorandum dated 20.5.2024.
So in view of the same, the Nodal Officers are directed to take steps strictly for prevention of slaughtering of livestock of cow, calf, oxen etc. in public places and to take appropriate steps in consonance with the provisions of Act 1977 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, particularly, shall monitor whether necessary certificates are obtained from the respondents No.3 to 5 by the slaughter houses.
With the above observation, the Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission with the consent of both the parties. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, all the pending miscellaneous applications shall stand closed.