Uttarakhand: Hearing on the death of horses and mules in Chardham Yatra, along with DM of 3 districts, they will have to answer in HC

A hearing was held in the Nainital High Court on the public interest litigation filed against the death of horses and mules during the Chardham Yatra. Taking the matter seriously, a division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal has made Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi DM as well as Tourism Board and Animal Welfare Board as parties. Along with issuing a notice against them, they have been asked to submit their reply within 3 weeks. During the hearing, the High Court said that the matter is very serious.

In fact, Delhi resident religious leader Ajay Gautam has filed a public interest litigation in the Nainital High Court. In which he has said that there is complete chaos in the Chardham Yatra. There are no facilities for food and accommodation for the pilgrims, nor has any CCTV been arranged. Whereas, more than 25 thousand passengers are reaching there daily. It has also been said in the PIL that horses and mules are being treated inhumanely during the Chardham Yatra. They are even being given drugs to get work.

So far, more than 400 horses and mules have died, but the administration is sitting silent in the matter. The outbreak of intoxication is also increasing in these places. When these things are being raised, the local businessmen are manhandling the passengers. It has been said in the petition that the dead bodies of horses and mules are being dumped in the rivers. Due to which the river and the environment are also getting polluted. In the coming days, YouTubers are showing the incidents there through their channels.

At the same time, in the PIL, the court has been requested to rectify all the arrangements in the Chardham Yatra. Along with this, there has been a demand to make concrete guidelines for the journey. It has been said in the petition that debauchery is happening in Chardham. Crime and intoxication are happening here, it should be banned. At the same time, now the next hearing of the case will be on 5 September.