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Cattle trafficking: SC asks Centre, states to suggest measures
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and four states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to come up with `suggestions` for putting in place long-term measures to stop illegal transportation of cattle to Nepal.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and four states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to come up with "suggestions" for putting in place long-term measures to stop illegal transportation of cattle to Nepal.
"Have a meeting within two weeks from today and come up with proposed submissions and suggestions within two weeks thereafter," a bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said.
The court was hearing a PIL that alleged a large number of cattle is exported illegally to Nepal for Gadhimai festival held once in five years. The festival last took place on November 28 and 29, 2014.
Besides the Centre, states like West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, bordering Nepal, have been made parties in the PIL filed by Gauri Maulekhi.
The plea sought directions to the Centre and four states for putting in place a comprehensive mechanism to stop illegal trafficking of cattle to the neighbouring country.
Earlier, Bihar and West Bengal had filed suggestions and the Centre, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh had sought further time.
Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for Maulekhi, was also allowed to file suggestions before the court on the issue.
Last November, the court had asked the Centre and the states bordering Nepal to maintain tight vigil on the international border and ensure that no illegal transportation of cattle takes place for being sacrificed during the Gadhimai festival.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), besides arresting around 70 people, had rescued nearly 2,000 animals from being illegally sent to Nepal.
Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had informed the bench that only those people having licence can be allowed to export cattle and an order has already been passed by the government to stop illegal "infiltration" of animals to Nepal.
The PIL has alleged that 5,00,000 animals are slaughtered over two days in the festival and over 70 per cent of the animals sacrificed there are brought illegally from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.