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HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 03rd JULY, 2023 IN THE MATTER OF:
AJAY GAUTAM ..... Petitioner
Through: Petitioner in person.
ANR. ..... Respondent
Through: Mr. Santosh Kr. Tripathi, SC, GNCTD, Mr. Arun Panwar, Mr. Utkarsh Singh and Ms.Mahak
Rankawat, Advocates.
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD
JUDGMENT
1. The present Writ Petition has been filed by the Petitioner, who states that he has studied to become a religious teacher/preacher, is a purohit and performs rituals, seeking an appropriate writ, order or direction to the Respondents to strictly implement and enforce provisions contained in Notification dated 23.05.2017, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, on the occasion of Bakra-eid, which is scheduled to be celebrated on 29.06.2023 throughout the country. The Petitioner has further prayed for a direction to the Respondents to ensure that no Cattle markets be held in Delhi without obtaining prior permission of the competent authorities stipulated in above Rules on the occasion of Bakra- Eid.
2. It is stated that during Bakra-Eid/Eid Ul Addha which will be celebrated on 29.06.2023 throughout the country, innocent and helpless Goats/ships/ bullock will be mercilessly butchered throughout the country in the name of sacrifice during this festival. It is further stated that cattle markets are held at various places viz. Jaffrabad, Okhla, Jamia, Jama Masjid, Seelampur, Inderlok, Jamia amongst others without obtaining prior permission of the Administration or its competent authorities. It is stated that other than above mentioned places, illegal markets are held at several other places which badly impact the flow of traffic in and around the places where these markets are held. It is further stated that animals are sold in these markets for earning more money. It is stated that these animals are treated with extreme cruelty without making necessary arrangements. It is stated that these illegal markets are held in open under scorching Sun and cattle traders treat animals mercilessly and inflict maximum cruelty on the animals with the sole aim of earning money to make hefty profit. The Petitioner has, therefore, chosen to file the instant Writ Petition.
3. Other than making some bald averments, no specific case has been highlighted in the instant Writ Petition. The Petitioner has chosen to file certain photographs which are claimed to have been clicked in the year 2021-22. It is needless to state that the State Government will adhere to the notification dated 23.05.2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change by which Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 were brought into force. The said Rules mandates registration of existing animal markets. It lays down procedure of establishment of new animal markets, functions of District Animal Market Monitoring Committee, prohibited practices that are cruel and harmful to the animals, etc. These Rules also lay down that no person shall cause or permit any injury or unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal in an animal market.
4. In the absence of any specific instance by the Petitioner showing as to how these rules are violated, a writ of mandamus cannot be passed in air. Nothing has been shows that the State is not performing its duties and only a failure to perform its duty by the State, give rise to a writ of mandamus.
5. In Bharat Singh v. State of Haryana, (1988) 4 SCC 534, the Apex Court has held as under:
6. Therefore, the present Writ Petition cannot be entertained. However, it is always open for the Petitioner to approach this Court by showing specific instances of violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
7. Accordingly, the petition is dismissed, along with the pending application(s), if any.
SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA, CJ SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD, J JULY 03, 2023