Gau Gyan Foundation v. The Union of India and 8 Ors

HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG

PIL No. 2 of 2021 Date of order: 26.05.2023

Gau Gyan Foundation vs The Union of India & ors Coram:

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Chief Justice

Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge

Appearance: For the Petitioner : Mr V. Shraff, Adv. with

Mrs R. Dutta, Adv.

Mr S. Chanda, Adv.

For the Respondents : Ms A. Pradhan, Adv. vice

Dr N. Mozika, DSGI

Mr S. Sengupta, Addl Sr GA

Mr A.H. Kharwanlang, Add Sr GA

i) Whether approved for

reporting in Law journals etc.:

ii) Whether approved for publication

in press:

JUDGMENT: (per the Hon'ble, the Chief Justice) (Oral)

The State has filed a status report and the petitioner, upon going through such status report filed pursuant to order dated May 4, 2023, expresses satisfaction regarding several of the initiatives and measures taken by the State.

¶2In particular, the petitioner expresses gratitude for the State having adopted several of the suggestions made in the detailed reports filed by the petitioner. Serial No. 02 Regular List

¶3The matter pertains 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.

¶4Hopefully, 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.

¶5The 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.

¶6However, on the ground, it does not appear that there has been any effect of any guidelines or instructions issued by the State in such regard. Streetside shops selling meat display animal carcasses with impunity. Apart from the hideous sight, there is also 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.

¶7The 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.

¶8Otherwise, 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.

¶9Since 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.

¶10There will be no order as to costs.

(W. Diengdoh) (Sanjib Banerjee)

Judge Chief Justice

Meghalaya

26.05.2023 "Sylvana PS"