Bombay HC rejects plea seeking reversal of blanket ban on plying of Victoria horses

Holding that there were no merits in the review petition filed by Victoria Horse Owners, the Bombay High Court on Monday rejected their plea seeking to lift the blanket ban imposed on plying of Victoria horses in Mumbai.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AK Menon rejected the review, considering that earlier the High Court had held there were no provisions to grant licenses to the Victoria horse stables and the traffic police also held that the Victorias were not public conveyance and obstructing smooth flow of traffic. 

The review petition had pleaded that the blanket ban on plying of Victoria horses was incorrect and was directly affecting the livelihood of many horse owners. Under the guise of the order, directing phase-wise stopping of Victorias, even valid license holders are prohibited from carrying out business. 

The court while rejecting the plea also took into consideration the fact that the government was considering coming out with a rehabilitation plan for the horse owners and it would be placed before the court on May 2.