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Synopsis

A division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Sandeep V Marne has recently directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to make a grievance forum available to the citizen through email for making complaints regarding animal slaughter during festivals.

"In addition, we direct that the Municipal Corporation should also make the Grievance Forum available to complainants/citizens by way of an email. The policy, e-mail address and toll-free numbers also shall be prominently displayed on the website of the Municipal Corporation, atleast for the concerned period. The learned Senior Advocate states that once complaints are received on the helpline, email etc. specific task force would be available 24 x 7 to redress the issue," the bench directed.

The division bench was hearing a plea filed by a non governmental organisation called 'Jiv Maitri Trust'.

The high court passed an order in 2018 directing the Municipal Corporation to frame comprehensive regulatory mechanisms/policies so that religious festivals/events where such animal sacrifice/slaughtering takes place, can be regulated in an orderly manner keeping in view the mandate of law and local conditions of the city.

The municipal corporation had then allowed parties to the petition to give suggestions to the Municipal Corporation for framing the said policy. Through a subsequent order the high court had asked Municipal Corporation would maintain all applicable safety, hygiene public safety norms.

Thereafter, a policy was formed which came into force on 1 August 2019. 

Senior Advocate Anil Sakhare appearing for BMC informed the court that the issue comes up every year during the concerned religious festival and the matter is dealt with from time to time. 

He also informed the court that public notices in the newspaper will be published giving a toll-free number for lodging complaints. 

Case Title: Jiv Maitri Trust vs Union of India & Ors