A petition has been filed before the Telangana High Court challenging Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s recent order for closure of beef shops and slaughterhouses on Independence Day (August 15) and Janmashtami (August 16).

The plea filed by law student Vadla Srikanth was listed before Justice B Vijaysen Reddy today.

The Court asked the municipal corporation to explain the reasoning for the decision and listed the matter for further hearing on August 13. 

In the plea filed through advocate Vijay Gopal, it has been argued that the municipality took the decision without any cause of action or statutory powers.

“The statutory powers invoked by the Respondent no. 1 (GHMC Commissioner) i.e. 533 (b) do not grant the said powers to the GHMC Commissioner to direct or decide the closure of shops/traders/businesses etc. without any cause or action or reason behind such decisions. The decision to close down the cattle slaughter houses, meat shops, etc. is taken without citing any reasons and the said letter is a blatant example of colorable exercise of authority without any reason whatsoever,” the plea said.

According to the petitioner, the livelihood of the traders’ legal, legitimate, and peaceful businesses cannot be harmed and they deserve to know why their businesses need to be shut on August 15 and 16.

It was submitted the decision is arbitrary, illegal and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.