Jharkhand High Court Seeks DGP's Affidavit On Steps Taken To Implement Beef Ban In State

The Jharkhand High Court has sought a personal affidavit of the Director General of Police with regard to action taken on earlier directions including steps taken to prohibit sale of bovine meat in markets like Qureshi Mohalla as well as other parts of Ranchi, wherein slaughter of bovine animals is prevent under State Law.

The court was hearing a PIL filed to prohibit the illegal culling of animals (including poultry birds) and displaying of carcasses to the general public on the roads of Ranchi

For context, an application was filed in 2024, highlighting that there "there is a market of beef" in Qureshi Mohalla in Doranda, Ranchi claiming that "slaughtering, processing and sale of bovine meat including cow meat in broad day light is being carried out".

It was then argued that slaughtering of bovine animals including cow is punishable under Section 12 of the Jharkhand Bovine Animal Prohibition of Slaughter Act and the State had failed to check this. 

The high court had in its August 7, 2024 order after taking note of the affidavit, noting that no statement has been made with respect to the market in Doranda. Among other directions the court had directed the concerned SSP to explain why this fact was not brought to the court's notice and what action has been taken in prohibiting the selling of meat of bovine animals including cow meat in the market likes Qureshi Mohalla as well as other parts in Ranchi. 

While hearing the matter on July 29, a division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sujit Narayan in its order said:

"In addition, 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 court also directed the State to further inform on:

1.Whether there is any violation of the provisions of the Jharkhand Bovine Animal Prohibition of Slaughter Act, 2005, anywhere within the state of Jharkhand.

2. Whether within the municipal area, the requirement of slaughter house can be said to be a mandatory requirement and, if so, whether the petty food manufacturers can be permitted to slaughter.

3. Whether any illegal slaughter houses/ operators having been informed to be operating within the State of Jharkhand.

4. Whether the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Page 2 of 2 Businesses), Regulations 2011, are being strictly enforced in the State of Jharkhand.

5. Whether there is a regular inspection of the slaughter houses along with the documentary proof of such inspections, for the purpose of health and hygiene.

6. The status of the criminal cases that have been registered pursuant to the directions passed by this Court from time to time. 

The high court had in its August 7, 2024 order further directed SSP Ranchi to apprise this Court on how many cases have been instituted under Section 12 of the Act, 2005 and if any case has been instituted, the details of the same be furnished along with the case status.

The court had then directed the SSP to apprise the Court about any action was taken against the Officer-in-Charge of the Doranda Police Station who is overall in-charge of the area where such offence is being committed.

The matter is next listed on August 26. 

Case title: Shyamanand Pandey v/s The State of Jharkhand and Ors.

Click Here To Read/Download Order