By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar:In the back drop of controversial meat ban in Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday ordered blanket ban on the sale of beef in the only Muslim majority state of India, J&K.
The directions was passed by Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Parimoksh Seth seeking slaughtering or killing of bovine animals an offence punishable under Section 298-A of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), the J&K state’s own penal code due to its special status.
Under section 298A of the RPC, intentionally killing or slaughtering a cow or similar animal (including ox and buffalo) is a cognizable, non-bailable offense punishable with 10 years imprisonment and fine.
Under section 298B, possessing the flesh of such an animal is a cognizable, non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment of one year and fine. The RPC was enacted in 1862 by the then Dogra ruler of the State
Additional Advocates General, Vishal Sharma who appeared for the state, said that Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has not filed an appropriate response regarding the smuggling and slaughtering of bovine animals and their sale in Kashmir valley.
The court directed Divisional Commissioner to file an appropriate response.
The Division Bench then directed DGP J&K to ensure that appropriate directions were given to all SSPs, SPs and SHOs of all Districts and Police Stations in Jammu and Kashmir that there shall be no sale of beef across the state.
Meanwhile reacting strongly to the Court’s direction on beef ban in state various separatist leaders lambasted at the courts order.
Senior Separatist leader, Nayeem Khan termed the court order as move intended to harm the religious sentiments of the majority people of the state.
“There is no power on earth which can change halal into haram and haram into halal .Muslims have to follow shariat and not the dictations of any court, government or bureaucracy,” Nayeem said in a statement issued to Media.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman Hurriyat (G) while terming the high court verdict as politically motivated which aims at creating communal tension called for a complete shutdown in J&K this Saturday i.e. September 12.