The Calcutta High Court has directed the Kolkata Police, Customs authorities and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, West Bengal, to take effective steps to stop unauthorised sale and trading of birds, pets, fish, plants and other animals at Galiff Street in North Kolkata.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Arijit Banerjee passed the directions on September 16 while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation concerning smuggling and illegal trading of endangered species of birds.

The Court was informed by Additional Advocate General Billwadal Bhattacharya that Galiff Street is a site where pets, cats, amphibians, plants, fish and birds are allegedly sold illegally every Sunday.

Senior Counsel Saikat Banerjee submitted that the illegal activities at Galiff Street were "known to one and all" and urged the Court to issue directions to bring the unauthorised sale and trading to a halt.

The Customs Department also assured the Court that it would remain proactive and exercise its powers against prohibited activities falling within its jurisdiction, including purported illegal sales at Galiff Street.

Taking note of the submissions, the Bench directed the Additional Advocate General to instruct the Kolkata Police, particularly officers having jurisdiction over North Kolkata and Galiff Street, to ensure that no unauthorised trade or business activities are conducted at the market, beginning from the coming Sunday.

The Court specifically directed the authorities to take effective steps where endangered species of birds are traded, smuggled or sold purportedly under permits issued by the Municipal Corporation, observing that such activities would otherwise also be prohibited.

The direction was not confined to endangered birds. The Court said it would apply to the unauthorised sale and trading of "even Pets, Fish, Plants etc."

The Bench further directed the Customs authorities and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, West Bengal, to ensure that their officers visit such markets in civil dress or disguise to trace illegal trading, sale or smuggling and initiate appropriate action.

The Court clarified that these directions would apply not only on Sundays but also on any other days when such unauthorised activities may be conducted.

Separately, the Court directed the Registrar General of the High Court to file a status report regarding pending cases before trial courts and the reasons for delay in their disposal, pursuant to earlier orders passed in the matter on March 5, 2021, January 3, 2022 and June 7, 2022. The report is to be filed by September 30.

The Additional Advocate General was also directed to submit an action taken report by September 30.

The matter has been listed on October 6 in the Urgent Hearing List.

Case: The Court on its own motion, In Re.: Smuggling and Illegal Trading of Endangered Species of Birds, WPA (P) 41 of 2022.