In a new twist to Jammu & Kashmir High Court’s order to ban the sale and possession of beef in the embattled State, the coalition Government on Tuesday terminated the services of two Jammu-based senior attorneys for their “failure to defend the interests of the State in the court of law”. Interestingly, one of the attorneys Parimoksh Seth, who was working as Deputy Advocate General, had filed the Public Interest litigation (PIl) in Jammu seeking ban on sale and slaughter of bovine animals three years ago.
“The Government has ordered the disengagement of Additional Advocate General, Jammu, Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General, Jammu, Parimoksh Seth with immediate effect,” an official handout said on Tuesday.
Seth had been appointed in April but he had not dissociated himself with the controversial PIl. The State law Department was in a spot after the HC order over the PIl initiated by a lawyer who was simultaneously on the Government’s side.
The ban order triggered massive controversy in the State after separatists openly defied the ban and publicly slaughtered bovine animals. The issue is likely to rock the upcoming Autumn Session of the State legislature starting October 3. At least three members of Opposition National Conference, and one member each of Awami Ittihad Party and CPM have introduced Bills in the assembly to scrap the existing law in J&K banning sale and possession of beef. A BJP legislator has introduced another Bill seeking capital punishment for anyone involved in bovine trade.
The controversy erupted after a Division Bench comprising Justices Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Janak Raj Kotwal ordered implementation of a law existing in Ranbir Panel Code (RPC) that bans sale and possession of beef in J&K.
The court had sought response from Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to file an appropriate response regarding the smuggling and slaughtering of bovine animals and their subsequent sale especially in Kashmir Valley. However, the court observed that Additional Advocate General Vishal Sharma has not communicated the direction to wither DGP or Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu.
Pending response, the court directed the DGP to ensure prohibition on the sale of beef across the State.
The State Government order has confirmed dereliction of duty on part of Vishal Sharma whose services were terminated forthwith.
Interestingly, the ban order came at a time when Eid-uz-Zuha is round the corner and Muslims across the State have expressed resentment over the decision and described it as “infringement in the religious matters of Muslims”.