Gujarat HC pulls up State govt over illegal meat shops

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Monday came down heavily on the State government for not acting against meat shops running without proper licenses.

Taking exception to the “soft-peddling” attitude of the State, the division bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri asked how many of the 2,602 slaughterhouses that operate without licenses have been closed.

The Chief justice remarked, “This soft peddling attitude on the part of the State is not acceptable.”

If no reasonable steps, as is expected of a welfare State, is taken, the Secretary, UDD shall appear in person as the repeated affidavits filed would indicate that the State machinery is being pushed only at snail’s pace,” the CJ further remarked.

A report filed before the bench stated that of 4,323 shops that were surveyed by the District Legal Services Authority (DSLA), 2,602 shops were without a license and 3,621 shops were selling meat without a stamp.

Another report by FDA officials says that out of the 2,602 illegal shops, the authorities have launched a prosecution only against 1,108 shops.

Adjourning the court for three weeks the bench has ordered the authorities to take stern action against such shops and also decide on shutting down such shops by the next date of hearing. DeshGujarat