Bengaluru: The state government was on Tuesday issued a notice by the Karnataka High Court seeking its objections in connection with a petition challenging the anti-cow slaughter ordinance.
The petition was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum.
Bengaluru resident Mohammed Arif Jameel, the petitioner argued that the ordinance was against the fundamental rights of a citizen under Articles 14, 19 (1) (G) as well as Article 21 of the Constitution.
Jameel, through his petition, has sought interim relief by seeking a stay of operation of the ordinance that was passed by Karnataka Governor Vaju Bhai Vala on January 5.
Representing the state, advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi sought time and assured the court that the government was in the process of forming the rules as the petitioner’s lawyer, Rahamatulla Kotwal had pointed out that the rule under Section (5) (restriction of transport of cattle) has not yet been framed by which even innocent farmers transporting their cattle from village to village may be harassed.
Jameel’s petition also pointed out to the case of Shiek Zahid Mukthar vs State of Maharashtra where the Bombay High Court held that depriving people of the right to choose food was unconstitutional. He argued that the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance, 2021, violated the fundamental rights of many citizens.
The hearing has been adjourned to January 18.
