HC forms second team to inspect 'illegal' abattoirs

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday formed another team including court commissioners, public prosecutor and the members of the Gau Gyan Foundation to inspect five illegal abattoirs in the city identified by the members of the foundation.

The team that was formed initially was unable to rescue animals from the slaughterhouses as the police failed to co-operate with the inspection.

Justice Aravind Kumar, while hearing a petition filed by the Foundation, appointed advocates H V Harish and D P Prasanna as court commissioners. They will be accompanied by public prosecutor S Rachiah and two NGO members.

The judge directed the public prosecutor to ensure police protection is given while inspecting these locations where animal slaughter is conducted illegally.

Justice Kumar directed the team to submit a report on the findings of the inspection in a sealed cover to the court before October 21 and adjourned the next hearing to October 23.

The judge was hearing a petition filed by executive members of Gau Gyan Foundation against Mohammed Ejaz Qureshi, president of Karnataka Beef Association and others.

The petitioners have contended that large number of cattle including cows, calves, bulls, she buffaloes, oxen and camel have been transported in the middle of the night and stocked up at the sides of the roads in a inhuman manner around Shivajinagar, Bharathi Nagar, K G Halli, D J Halli, Pulakeshinagar inside Tannery Road. The petitioners have also contended that they have identified several illegal slaughter houses in the city and the state.