Kerala High Court seeks State's response to PIL alleging animal cruelty in cattle markets

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court raising concerns about animal cruelty in cattle markets as they do not have adequate shade and drinking water facilities for the animals [Angels Nair v Union of India & ors]..A Vacation Bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman AA and Justice KV Jayakumar today sought the State's response. The Court further refused to pass any interim orders without first hearing the respondent-authorities. "Let their (respondents) statements come. We cannot do anything before hearing them out. We have to decide whether this is illegal or not right," Justice Rahman said. The matter will be heard next after the Court's ongoing summer vacation. .The PIL has been filed by Angels Nair, the General Secretary of the Animal Legal Force Integration. The plea states that cattle are often tied for long hours at markets, sometimes even for days, without proper access to adequate food, water or ventilation, until they are sold.The plea adds that cattle transport and slaughter are also being carried in violation of animal welfare rules. The petitioner has submitted photographs showing cattle standing in open enclosures at a market in Perambavoor under direct sunlight in the afternoon. It highlights that the animals are being exposed to temperatures reaching up to 40 degree celsius without being given basic facilities like shelter or drinking water.He stated that such conditions directly violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 (2017 Rules) and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 (PCA Act). These laws mandate the protection of animals from unnecessary pain and suffering during sale, transport or treatment and include their protection from exposure to harsh weather, thirst and starvation..Nair has highlighted that the 2017 Rules already impose duties on the concerned authorities and market operators to prevent such cruelty against animals, and to ensure that adequate food, water, and roofing is given to the animals. However, these safeguards are being routinely ignored across municipalilites, panchayats and private cattle markets across Kerala, the petitioner has contended.Nair also referred to a 2024 advisory issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying on managing livestock during heat waves, which classified temperatures above 28.9 degree celsius as a 'livestock emergency' warning, indicating severe heat stress for the animals.The petitioner has argued that exposing cattle to temperatures as high as 40 degree celsius without protection amounts to gruesome cruelty requiring urgent intervention.He has pointed out that the 2017 Rules envisage the creation a District-level committee and a local committee to safeguard and regulate cattle markets. However, no such body has been effectively constituted, the petitioner argues. Even if they have been constituted, they are not functioning, the plea adds.The petitioner goes on to highlight that animals too have a right to live with dignity and without unnecessary suffering. The current conditions in cattle markets have reduced animals to mere commodities without any regard for their welfare, the plea says. The petitioner had also sent representations in the matter to the Perumbavoor municipality and the State Animal Husbandry Department on April 15, 2026..However, no action was taken, prompting him to approach the High Court for judicial intervention in this matter.The plea, thus sought directions to immediately shut down cattle markets, both private and government, which operate without basic facilities, to enforce the 2017 Rules and for strict action against violations. The plea also calls for the seizure of animals kept in unlawful conditions.As interim relief, the petitioner urged the Court to stop the functioning of all cattle markets, which lack shade, water and accommodation facilities for the animals, especially in light of the ongoing heat wave conditions in Kerala..[Live coverage]