'No Dilly-Dallying': Jharkhand High Court Warns State Over Illegal Slaughter, Meat Sale Violations

The Jharkhand High Court has directed the State to strictly comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and to ensure that no illegal cutting or slaughter of animals takes place without adherence to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the State to prohibit the illegal culling of animals, including poultry birds, and the public display of animal carcasses on roads in Ranchi.Earlier, by an order dated 12 December 2025, the High Court had directed the personal appearance of the Secretary, Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department; the Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department; and the Administrator of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation on the next date of hearing. During the hearing, the Court interacted at length with the concerned government officials. It noted:“7. All the aforesaid three officers have assured this Court that the regulations as well as the directions passed by this Court along with the provisions made in various statutes would be implemented in its letters and spirit and the regulations as directed by this Court would be formulated within a period of two months from today.”The Court further noted that, in the meantime, the respondents are directed to ensure strict compliance with the applicable regulations and with the directions previously issued by the Court. The Court reiterated that mutton sellers are permitted to carry on their business only in accordance with the registration granted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. It was further directed that no unauthorised person shall be permitted to sell mutton.The Court also emphasised that the sale of mutton shall be permitted only after full compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, particularly Schedule IV of Part IV, in letter and spirit. The Court cautioned that any violation of these directions would invite “serious consequences”.Background:The Public Interest Litigation was filed seeking implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, particularly Regulation 2.1.2(5) read with Part IV, which strictly prohibits the slaughter of animals or birds within shop premises and prescribes specific sanitary and hygienic requirements for retail meat shops, including norms relating to their location. The petitioner further sought directions for enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, particularly Rule 6, which prohibits the slaughter of animals in the sight of other animals.Earlier, by an order dated 11 March 2024, the High Court directed the Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts across the State, the Senior Superintendent of Police/Superintendent of Police of the concerned districts, and the local bodies to conduct widespread inspections in areas where such shops are located and to take appropriate action in accordance with law. Subsequently, by an order dated 2 July 2024, the Court noted:“11. It is unfortunate that the authorities who are at the helms of affair are not applying their vision for the purpose of creating the source of income by issuing the valid license and if the authority will be vigilant then all the shopkeepers or the intended persons who are to run the shop will make an application for making the license.Once again, by an order dated 28 November 2025, the Court observed that the respondents were “simply dilly-dallying with the implementation of the orders passed by this Court.” The Court noted:“4. In the given facts and circumstances, we deem it appropriate to grant a week's time to the respondents to put their house in order and file a comprehensive affidavit with regard to the implementation of not only the said judgment passed by this Court, but also with regard to the implementation of the provisions of the municipal laws as well as the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the regulations framed thereunder, failing which the erring respondent(s) shall not only appear before this Court, but this Court may also be constrained to make adverse comment upon working of the respondents who, as observed above, have been simply dilly-dallying and shirking away from the duties and responsibilities.”Thus, the recent order follows a series of earlier orders and directions issued by the Court in the matter. The case has been listed next on 27 February 2025 for further hearing and directions.Title: Shyamanand Pandey v. State of Jharkhand and OrsCase Number: W.P. (PIL) No. 5169 of 2023Appearance: Mr. Shubham Kataruka appeared for the Petitioner. Advocate General Mr. Rajiv Ranjan, Mr. Yogesh Modi, Mr. L.C.N. Shahdeo, Mr. Yash Raj Gupta...

'No Dilly-Dallying': Jharkhand High Court Warns State Over Illegal Slaughter, Meat Sale Violations

Rushil Batra

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