Ensure Ethical Treatment Of Animals: Meghalaya HC Directs State To Ban Display Of Animal Carcasses On Streetside Meat Shops

The Meghalaya High Court in a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by the Gau Gyan Foundation has directed the State Government to ban the display of animal carcasses on the streetside meat shops saying that there must be ethical treatment of animals even those which are culled for human consumption.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh said, “The State says that detailed measures have been taken in such regard in June, 2022 and repeated instructions have followed. The State would do well to set an example and completely prohibit the display of animal carcasses in meat shops, though they may be stored in refrigerators or containers or even in showcases within the premises and not open to public view from outside. … Otherwise, the State should ensure the ethical treatment of animals across the board, even those which are culled for human consumption and those which are used as farm animals, including the mode and manner of transportation thereof.”

The Bench also observed that there is an element of hygiene involved since the meat displayed is open to the grime and dust of the street and may turn quite toxic even before it is sold.

Advocates V. Shraff and R. Dutta appeared on behalf of the petitioner while AdvocatesA. Pradhan, DSGI N. Mozika, Addl Sr. GAs S. Sengupta, and A.H. Kharwanlang appeared on behalf of the respondents.

In this case, the State had filed a status report and the petitioner, upon going through such status report filed pursuant to an order dated May 4, 2023, expressed satisfaction regarding several of the initiatives and measures taken by the State. In particular, the petitioner expressed gratitude for the State having adopted several of the suggestions made in the detailed reports filed by the petitioner.

The matter pertained to the treatment of animals that are culled for human consumption and the transportation of animals across the State. Despite there being Central enactments and local regulations pursuant to the Central enactments, the petitioner had demonstrated that most of the guidelines and norms were not being followed and local-level committees were not functional.

The High Court in the above regard noted, “Hopefully, such lapses have been taken care of and the State will ensure a more ethical treatment of animals, even if they are culled for human consumption. … The one aspect that remains is how animal carcasses are brazenly displayed on streetside shops, sometimes complete with beheaded heads of pigs in open view. Upon the State being repeatedly advised that such sight may not be appealing even to the most carnivorous of humans, some measures have been taken to ensure that such displays are restrained and altogether prohibited.”

The Court further said that there was no effect of any guidelines or instructions issued by the State in such regard and that the streetside shops selling meat display animal carcasses with impunity.

“Since a matter of some importance was brought to the notice of the Court by the public spirited petitioner, PIL No. 2 of 2021 is closed with a word of appreciation for the petitioner”, concluded the Court.

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the plea.

Cause Title- Gau Gyan Foundation v. The Union of India & Ors.

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