STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO ‘SAVE’ (Save Animal Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kaur Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan seeking closure of unregulated and unregistered/un-licensed slaughter houses/meat shops in Jammu & Kashmir including both the capital cities, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sindhu Sharma after hearing Adv Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for PIL, directed Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to submit a fresh comprehensive affidavit, within two weeks, clearly stating whether existing slaughter houses are to be upgraded, or some new slaughter houses have to be constructed and what is actual state of affairs in respect of both matters.
DB further directed that in addition to it, presence of Avny Lavasa, Commissioner JMC is also sought, who shall appear fully prepared on above subject to assist the Court. When PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed that it was informed that in Jammu, two slaughter houses, one at Dogra Hall and other at Gujjar Nagar are in existence and efforts are being made to upgrade them. “We are not sure as to whether in addition to existing slaughter houses, there is any proposal for construction of a new modern slaughter house in Jammu. The record also revealed that one modern slaughter house is coming up in Srinagar which was expected to be completed within 7-8 months as per the previous order but S S Nanda, Sr AAG informed that there is resistance by local people and work has to be stopped,” the Bench observed. Expressing displeasure over the way things are moving and every time except for giving assurances, nothing is being done, the Court directed Adv Harshwardhan Gupta, appearing for JMC and Sr AAG S S Nanda, appearing for SMC to submit a fresh comprehensive affidavits in this regard.