In a significant move for public health and hygiene, the Jharkhand High Court has issued a strict directive to the state government to halt the sale of meat and chicken in open areas. The court emphasized the immediate and rigorous implementation of food safety regulations established by the Union government.
Court's Stern Directive on Hygiene and Safety
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar delivered this order on Friday while addressing a public interest litigation (PIL). The petition was filed by Shyamanand Pandey, who raised serious concerns about the prevalent practice of slaughtering goats and chickens in the open and displaying meat in shops exposed to public view.
The bench expressed clear displeasure at the unhygienic conditions and directed both the Jharkhand state government and the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) to take prompt action to curb this practice. The court's primary instruction was to ensure the sale of meat adheres to proper, covered, and sanitary environments.
State's Draft Regulations and Immediate Enforcement
During the proceedings, the government counsel informed the court that the state is in the process of preparing a draft of its own food safety model regulations. However, the bench made a crucial observation. It ruled that until the state-specific regulations are finalized, the existing food safety rules framed by the Central government must be strictly enforced across Jharkhand without any delay.
This interim measure is intended to prevent any regulatory vacuum and ensure immediate compliance with standardized hygiene norms.
Impact on Public, Especially Children
The petitioner and his counsel presented compelling arguments about the broader social impact of open meat sales. They highlighted that the sight of meat being cut and hung openly negatively affects students and ordinary passers-by. Many schoolchildren disembark from their buses only to be confronted with the graphic display at butcher shops, which can create a disturbing impression on young minds.
Furthermore, Pandey pointed out a critical gap in oversight: the current open sale system lacks a robust mechanism to verify the quality and hygiene of the meat being sold to the public, posing potential health risks.
The court has scheduled the next hearing in this matter for February 27, 2026, to review the compliance and actions taken by the authorities.
