Cow slaughter: HC notice to state authorities

They added that authorities have not been following directions issued by the HC while disposing a petition filed by Refrigerated Truck Owners’ Welfare Association.

In 2008,Gujarat Police had registered 13 cases where refrigerated trucks were found carrying beef in the containers. The association had then moved the HC praying direction so that they are not harassed by the authorities.

While disposing the petition,the HC had directed the authorities to take punitive steps against those found carrying beef in the name of buffalo meat.

“But the HC directives are not being followed. Neither the Customs Department nor the Railway authorities are testing the meat being transported. In many instances,the meat is actually beef and it is in complete violation of the Foreign Trade Act,” stated petitioners’ counsel Nimish Kapadia.

Kapadia said that in order to prevent cow slaughter in the state,it is necessary to test the meat in the containers. As each container carries around 25,000 kg of meat and if it is indeed beef; then it could mean 250 cows were slaughtered for it.

The notices have been made returnable by August 31.