New Delhi: A man who claims to be a “monk” living in Delhi has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before Delhi High Court seeking directions to create a law banning sale of beef and related products on the lines of laws in Maharashtra and provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code of Jammu and Kashmir.
The plea filed by Swami Satyanand Chakradhari has sought directions to Delhi government to enact a law similar to the 1932 Ranbir Penal Code, which states that slaughter of cows and “like animals” is punishable with up to 10 years’ of imprisonment as well as a financial penalty.
Chakradhari’s plea has also sought court orders to the Delhi government to create “Gokul gram” in the city to “protect and rehabilitate” old cows and bullocks, The Indian Express reported.
Using recent orders of Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding sale of beef as “examples”, the plea filed through advocate Naval Kishore Jha, has argued that “communal problems” could arise due to the controversy over beef sale, and has suggested that a “judicial panel” headed by a sitting or retired judge could be created to look into ways to “sort out” and “prevent” communal problems arising out of the beef ban.
The PIL also mentioned the stand taken by the Maharashtra government before Bombay High Court in which it has said the ban on beef sale was “the beginning” of protection of cows. The PIL is likely to come up for hearing Friday before a bench headed by the Chief Justice.