While observing that two women accused of outraging the feelings of Hindus for feeding meat and chicken to stray animals near the Mahalaxmi temple were animal lovers and that there were no previous cases in which they were convicted, the Mumbai Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to them.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The Mumbai Sessions Court granted anticipatory bail to two women accused of allegedly outraging the sentiments of Hindus by feeding meat and chicken to stray animals near the Mahalaxmi temple.
Sessions Judge NP Tribhuwan emphasized that the accused appeared to be animal lovers and had no prior convictions, stating,
“It seems that the accused are animal lovers, and they are feeding stray dogs and cats. There are four previous non-cognizable cases and one cognizable case pending against the accused, but the mere fact of pending cases does not mean that the accused are habitual offenders. The prosecution has not produced any record that the accused were previously convicted of any offence.”
The prosecution’s case stemmed from a complaint filed by social worker Shila Shaha, active in the Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai, which is home to several Hindu temples. The complaint alleged that one of the accused, Belekar, fed mutton, chicken, and fish to stray animals near the Dhakleshwar Mahadev Temple, resulting in the defilement of the premises for Hindu devotees. The complaint further asserted that despite requests from residents to feed the animals in a designated area, Belekar persisted in her actions, allegedly with the intent to outrage religious sentiments.
According to the prosecution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had designated a specific location and time for feeding stray dogs, with conditions prohibiting the feeding of non-vegetarian food. However, Belekar purportedly ignored these guidelines and even threatened protestors, allegedly supported by Patil, who allegedly encouraged feeding non-vegetarian food near places of worship.
In defense, Advocate KM Singh, representing Belekar and Patil, argued that the accused were devout Hindus who had been feeding stray animals in designated areas for several years. Singh accused Shaha of undue pressure on the accused and claimed that the police had failed to register their complaints against her.
“Thus, the said premises became defiled for Hindu devotees/followers. Therefore, residents of the area requested her not to throw pieces of mutton, chicken, and fish to dogs and cats but to feed the dogs and cats in one place, but she did not listen and intentionally, with the intent to outrage the religious feelings of Hindu persons, did the said act,”
-claimed the prosecution.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Ranjana Budhwant opposed anticipatory bail, arguing that the accused intentionally fed strays near the temple and that their custody was necessary to determine if they were acting under the influence of others. Budhwant also highlighted previous non-cognizable and cognizable cases pending against the accused.
The granting of anticipatory bail by the Mumbai Sessions Court underscores the complexity of the case and the need to balance religious sensitivities with animal welfare concerns.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Stray Dogs
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
