Kashmir camel seized over Eid ‘slaughter’ claim, owner hoofs it to court SRINAGAR: A camel seized by Srinagar authorities on suspicion it would be slaughtered ahead of Eid al-Adha in May has become the centre of a legal dispute, with the owner alleging unlawful confiscation and saying it was not meant to be killed but was purchased for rides and photos at a tourist resort.The camel is now the most unusual denizen at Srinagar’s Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) veterinary complex in Tengpora area, jostling for space with 300 animals, including a cow, two donkeys, dogs and 60 cats, among them Persian cats abandoned by owners. Nearly everyone who walks through the gates stops to look at the one-humped animal and asks how the two-year-old ended up there.Dawood Ahmad Shah is a big reason why the camel is where it is. The animal rights activist spotted a social media post indicating the camel would be slaughtered on Eid. Shah, who runs Animal Rescue Kashmir, said he alerted officials and said their intervention led to its “rescue” from Budgam, around 30km from Srinagar.“Camel slaughter has long been taking place in Kashmir. This year, several videos surfaced. We filed complaints with SMC. Raids were conducted at several places. We were able to rescue only one camel from Khan Sahab area of Budgam,” Shah said.Ghulam Rasool Bhat, the camel’s owner, contests the claims and demands that SMC return it to him. According to Bhat, he had purchased the camel from a dealer in Jammu for Rs 1.2 lakh, borrowing much of the sum. He said he planned to keep it at Budgam’s Doodhpathri tourist resort, where it would be used for taking visitors on rides and taking photos with them.“It took us time initially to understand who had taken it. Then the police said they had seized it. Now it is with SMC. We have now moved court seeking the camel’s release. The court has sought reports from the police and SMC but they have not done so yet,” Bhat said.While Shah maintains that camels are routinely brought to Kashmir for slaughter and calls for legal protections like those in Rajasthan, Bhat insists he never intended to kill the animal. “We are surprised the animal was taken away from us. Is bringing a camel to Kashmir prohibited? If camels can be kept in Jammu, why not here?” Bhat asked.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Break Silos, Self-Reliance’: PM Modi Holds High-Level Meet With Union SecretariesMumbai Horror: School Bus Crushed By Falling Tree In Mumbai; One Child Dead, Five Injured’Kashmir Is Not Part Of Pakistan’: PoJK Protesters Warn IslamabadAfter Converting To Islam For Love, UP’s Ayush Malik Returns To Hinduism | Watch’This Is Bigger Than Dharmendra Pradhan’: Students Demand Reforms Not ‘Political Damage Control’Another Blow To Uddhav Thackeray: Prominent Mumbai Leader Sachin Ahir Switches Sides | WatchRs 65 Lakh House, SUV, Farmhouse: Ram Temple Donation Theft Accused’s Assets Under ScannerUPI Rolls Out in Greece; ‘Enables Instant Low-Cost Cross-Border Payments,’ Says Piyush Goyal’We’ll Cut Off Those Hands That…’: Pakistan’s Provocation Over Indus Water Amid Domestic Failure’Lose Vote, Lose Benefits’: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar’s SIR Warning Sparks Row123PhotostoriesTrying to manage PMOS? Doctors say smoking could be undoing many of the healthy changes women work so hard to make10 quotes by Sadhguru that give a new perspective on parenting5 signs you’re destined for great things in lifePersonality test: What the woman you find attractive really tells about youIndia’s silent liver epidemic: The alarming shift from infectious diseases to lifestyle-driven liver damage that doctors can no longer ignoreIs your skin barrier crying for help? 5 warning signs you should never ignore10 beautiful baby girl names that mean peace and calmness in different languagesFrom love at first sight to divorce: Gaurav Khanna and Akanksha Chamola’s relationship timeline explainedLove quote of the day by Plato: ‘The madness of love is the greatest of heaven’s blessings’Kareena Kapoor Khan vrooms in a MINI dressed to kill in pinstriped suit with corset123Hot PicksKarnataka SIRJohn CenaSergio GorWWE Summerslam PredictionsiPhone 18 Pro data leakNoida schools timingSachin AhirDK ShivakumarAP EAPCET Result 2026Top TrendingDelhi EV Vehicle Policy 2026Bengal Refinery FireSonam RaghuvanshiFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovMK StalinJosh Hokit
SRINAGAR: A camel seized by Srinagar authorities on suspicion it would be slaughtered ahead of Eid al-Adha in May has become the centre of a legal dispute, with the owner alleging unlawful confiscation and saying it was not meant to be killed but was purchased for rides and photos at a tourist resort.The camel is now the most unusual denizen at Srinagar’s Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) veterinary complex in Tengpora area, jostling for space with 300 animals, including a cow, two donkeys, dogs and 60 cats, among them Persian cats abandoned by owners. Nearly everyone who walks through the gates stops to look at the one-humped animal and asks how the two-year-old ended up there.Dawood Ahmad Shah is a big reason why the camel is where it is. The animal rights activist spotted a social media post indicating the camel would be slaughtered on Eid. Shah, who runs Animal Rescue Kashmir, said he alerted officials and said their intervention led to its “rescue” from Budgam, around 30km from Srinagar.“Camel slaughter has long been taking place in Kashmir. This year, several videos surfaced. We filed complaints with SMC. Raids were conducted at several places. We were able to rescue only one camel from Khan Sahab area of Budgam,” Shah said.Ghulam Rasool Bhat, the camel’s owner, contests the claims and demands that SMC return it to him. According to Bhat, he had purchased the camel from a dealer in Jammu for Rs 1.2 lakh, borrowing much of the sum. He said he planned to keep it at Budgam’s Doodhpathri tourist resort, where it would be used for taking visitors on rides and taking photos with them.“It took us time initially to understand who had taken it. Then the police said they had seized it. Now it is with SMC. We have now moved court seeking the camel’s release. The court has sought reports from the police and SMC but they have not done so yet,” Bhat said.While Shah maintains that camels are routinely brought to Kashmir for slaughter and calls for legal protections like those in Rajasthan, Bhat insists he never intended to kill the animal. “We are surprised the animal was taken away from us. Is bringing a camel to Kashmir prohibited? If camels can be kept in Jammu, why not here?” Bhat asked.
