New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear cases related to beef ban in Maharashtra, even as one of the judges of the apex court recused herself from the hearing.
Justice Indu Malhotra recused herself, stating that she had represented a party earlier as a lawyer.
Justice Abhay Sapre, heading the bench, ruled that the three petitions will be listed before an “appropriate” bench by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.
Petitions and cross petitions have been filed in the top court, challenging various issues — the ban on cow slaughter; Bombay High Court order allowing possession and consumption of beef brought into Maharashtra from outside; and the petition by Maharashtra government seeking revival of a provision of law that made criminalises carrying or keeping beef at home in the state.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising represents one of the intervenors in the matter.
Almost 30 petitions have been filed in the case.
The individuals from Maharashtra, led by social activist Swatija Paranjpe, have placed the demand to lift the ban on beef and also “decriminalisation of food habits”, which refers that people who consume beef should not be charged with an offence.
The court said that the appropriate bench will also decide on the plea of Jaising for referring the entire matter to a Constitution bench.
[source_without_link]IANS[/source_without_link]