Calcutta High Court Directs Strict Compliance With Undertaking Banning Mass Animal Sacrifice During Bolla Kali Puja
The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal Government and the Bolla Kali Puja Committee to strictly adhere to the undertakings recorded in a meeting held on November 3, 2025, regarding the prevention of mass animal sacrifice during the Bolla Kali Puja.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that the authorities and the Puja Committee are duty-bound to ensure that no animal slaughter takes place in areas other than those designated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001.
The Court noted the decision of the meeting that “no mass sacrifice will be done” and directed the State and local authorities to ensure strict compliance with the same. It further directed that the order be circulated by the State authorities and the Puja Committee by November 5, 2025, to create public awareness and to be widely disseminated electronically.
The Bench also recorded the submission of the Puja Committee that only two animals would be sacrificed at the designated place in accordance with the 2001 Rules.
The matter will be heard next in the second week of December 2025, along with related petitions concerning animal sacrifice.
Case Title: Shree Vardhman Parivar v. State of West Bengal & Ors.
Case No: WPA(P) 427 of 2025