PIL Moved Before Kerala High Court To Stop Cattle Markets Operating Without Roofs, Exposing Animals To Scorching Summer Heat

A public interest litigation has been moved before the Kerala High Court praying for stoppage of cattle markets operating without thatched roofs, in violation of the Livestock Market Rules.The PIL has been moved by Angels Nair, the Secretary of the NGO Animal Legal Force Integration, who has highlighted the situation of 'chilling cruelty' in the cattle market in Perumbavoor where cattle are tied up closely without any access to water or a roof and exposed to the scorching sun.The petitioner has pointed out that many local cattle markets are operating without roofs or basic necessities for cattle, and the same amount to violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Regulation of Livestock Markets Rules, 2017.“The horrendous and chilling brutality is evident in all municipality, panchayath, corporation, and other private cattle markets in Kerala. Most of the cattle markets are hidden from public view, and the cruelty is unnoticeable. The cattle will be slaughtered in a couple of days, which is not an excuse for inflicting unfathomable agony… The cattle are speechless and are going to be slaughtered, but they have all the legal and constitutional rights in this nation,” states the petitioner.He has also referred to a 2024 Advisory for Livestock on event of a Heat Wave Situation issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying that marks the temple of 28.9 degree Celsius as an emergency situation to Livestock.Further, the plea quotes Rules 15, 19 and 21 of the 2017 Rules. Under Rule 15, the no person shall cause or permit any injury or unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal in an animal market and the person in charge of the animal has to ensure that it is not injured by being exposed to weather, thirst or starvation, etc.Rule 19 states that animals in markets have to be provided adequate quantity of food and water whereas Rule 12 imposes a duty on the Member Secretary of the Animal Market Committee to provide covered accommodation to animals in animal markets.According to the petitioner, though these Rules were brought into force in 2017, no benefit has been provided to animals in the State due to corruption. He further states:“Under the direction of the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala, an Animal Welfare Board of Kerala was constituted in 2021. All the representatives except the statutory members belonged to the representatives of the political party CPI, because the Minister for Animal Husbandry belongs to the political party CPI. The Animal Welfare Board of Kerala was a total failure, and the board was on a mission to sanction funds in the name of animals. Not a single animal has received any welfare or benefit from the Animal Welfare Board of Kerala till today.”Though a representation was made to the Director of Animal Husbandry, there has been no action taken. Aggrieved the petitioner has come before the High Court.He prays for a direction to the Central and State governments, the Animal Welfare Board, the Director of Animal Husbandry and the Perumbavoor Municipal Secretary to take strict measures to stop the illegal operation of the cattle market in Perumbavoor and other markets. A similar interim relief is sought for to stop the operation of cattle markets that do not have thatched roofs.Further, as a general prayer, the petitioner has asked for a direction to the Union government and the Animal Welfare Board to implement feasible and practical ways to address the cattle cruelty in the cattle markets. A direction is sought against the Board to carry out a study on the 2017 Rules and to submit a report before the Court.He has also sought a direction for seizure of cattle where they are unlawfully kept and for initiating prosecution as per section 35 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the 2017 Rules.Case No: WP (PIL) No. 92 of 2026Case Title: Angels Nair v. Union of India and Ors.

PIL Moved Before Kerala High Court To Stop Cattle Markets Operating Without Roofs, Exposing Animals To Scorching Summer Heat

K. Salma Jennath

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