Jharkhand High Court seeks personal affidavit from DGP on steps taken to enforce beef ban

The Jharkhand High Court on July 29 directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a personal affidavit detailing the measures taken to prevent the sale of beef, which is prohibited in the State [Shyamanand Pandey v. The State of Jharkhand and ors.].

The Court passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by one Shyamanand Pandey, who alleged that illegal butcher shops had proliferated in the city and were selling prohibited meat openly.

In August last year, the Court had asked the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to inform about what action had been taken to stop the sale of beef (meat of bovine animals, including cow meat) in various markets. It also sought information on the cases filed against those found engaged in such illegal sales.

On July 29, a Bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sujit Narayan Prasad asked the DGP to file a personal affidavit on these aspects.

"The Director General of Police, Jharkhand is directed to file his personal affidavit with regard to the action taken pursuant to the various directions passed by this Court particularly the directions passed on 07.08.2024," the order said.

The Court also sought a response from the State authorities on whether there were illegal slaughterhouses operating in Jharkhand and if there were violations found of the law banning the sale of beef (cow and its progeny), namely the Jharkhand Bovine Animal Prohibition of Slaughter Act, 2005.

The Court further asked the State to inform it about whether rules governing the registration of food businesses (including meat shops) are being properly followed, whether slaughterhouses in the State are being regularly inspected, and the status of criminal cases filed against those violating the beef ban law.

The petitioner before the Court, Shyamanand Pandey, had raised concern that meat, including beef, was being sold openly without installing black glass screens in the front, which is a mandatory requirement under municipal regulations.

The plea further stated that carcasses of dead animals are openly displayed, and that meat shops were operating without valid licences.

On July 29, the Court also directed the authorities to clarify whether the existence of a slaughterhouse is a mandatory requirement within municipal areas, and if so, whether petty food manufacturers are permitted to carry out slaughter activities.

The matter will be heard next on August 26.

Advocate Shubham Kataruka appeared for the petitioner.

Advocate Yogesh Modi appeared for the State.

Advocate LCN Shahdeo appeared for the Ranchi Municipal Corporation.

[Read Order]