The Bombay high court on Wednesday issued notices to the DB Marg police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for allegedly keeping a bull meant for sacrifice last Bakri-Eid illegally in their custody.
Justice VM Kanade and justice PD Kode have directed the police and the BMC to file their replies within a week before the court.
According to Byculla resident Muzaammil Ansari, 24, he purchased a bull to be sacrificed during Bakri-Eid from the Deonar abattoir for Rs25,000 on October 8 last year. But the next day, it escaped from Ansari’s house and ran amok on the roads.
The DB Marg police captured the bull and registered a case against unknown persons on October 10. When his request for the bull’s release was turned down, Ansari moved the Girgaum metropolitan court for the animal’s release. The court passed an order on November 11 in his favour but with riders: he had to pay a bond of Rs4,970 and Rs 3,000 to secure the release. But even after Ansari made the payments, the authorities kept the bull in their custody.
He then approached the HC, where he contended that the illegal detention of his bull infringed upon his fundamental right to perform a religious sacrifice. He has sought a compensation of Rs2 lakh from the the police and the BMC.
Comments