The Delhi High Court has adjourned the hearing on a PIL filed seeking a direction to ensure no birds are slaughtered in and near Ghazipur poultry market. (Gauri Maulekhi Vs Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board & Ors.)
The bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh listed the matter for further hearing on March 8 as the poultry market is shut amid the spread of bird flu.
The petition has been filed by animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi alleging that there is rampant illegal slaughter of approximately 2.5 lakh poultry birds everyday by wholesale traders in Ghazipur poultry market.
The plea states that there is already an outbreak of bird flu/ avian influenza in the country, and the same has occurred in Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana leading to the death and culling of thousands of birds and animals.
The plea contended that Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan are the major suppliers of poultry birds to Ghazipur Poultry Market. The bench has adjourned the matter for hearing on March 8.