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The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other civic authorities to file their replies within two weeks on a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with its 2018 directions banning the slaughter of birds at Ghazipur Murga Mandi.
The Court cautioned that contempt proceedings would follow if the responses were found unsatisfactory. The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia examined photographs placed on record and questioned whether its September 24, 2018 order prohibiting bird slaughter in the area was being openly violated. "Please ensure that this is done. This is horrifying," the Bench orally observed. The Court was hearing a contempt plea filed by animal welfare activist Gauri Maulekhi, who alleged that illegal slaughtering of chicken and other birds continued unabated despite the Court's earlier ban. During the hearing, Maulekhi submitted photographs to demonstrate that the directions issued by the Court were being flouted on the ground. Appearing for the civic body, Advocate Tushar Sannu submitted that the MCD had taken action against erring establishments and assured the Court that strict steps would be initiated against any slaughterhouse operating without a licence or in violation of licence conditions. After briefly hearing the matter, the Bench directed all respondents to place on record a detailed affidavit within two weeks, specifying the steps taken to ensure compliance with the 2018 order. In its September 24, 2018 ruling, the High Court had taken serious note of large-scale environmental violations at the Ghazipur Murga Mandi and the failure of statutory authorities to enforce pollution control norms. It had categorically prohibited slaughtering of birds in the area, permitting only the sale of live birds until a legally compliant and environmentally sound market was established. (ANI)
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