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Synopsis

The Meghalaya High Court has told the State government to completely prohibit the display of carcasses in meat shops as it creates a hideous sight, besides raising the issue of hygiene.

"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," a bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh said.

Acting on a PIL filed by Gau Gyan Foundation, the court also directed the State to ensure ethical treatment of animals across the board, even those which are culled for human consumption and those which are used as farm animals in their mode and manner of transportation.

The petitioner contended that despite there being central enactments and local regulations pursuant thereto, most of the guidelines and norms were not being followed and local-level committees were not functional, however, after the suggestions were made in detailed reports, the state government adopted those to ensure the proper treatment of animals.

On the other hand, the state government submitted that detailed measures had been taken in this regard in June 2022 and repeated instructions have also been followed.

"Hopefully, such lapses have been taken care of and the State will ensure a more ethical treatment of animals, even if they are called for human consumption," the bench said.

The court, however, highlighted one remaining aspect as to how animal carcasses were 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," it noted.

However, on the ground, that it did not appear that there had been any effect of any guidelines or instructions issued by the State in such regard, and streetside shops selling meat display animal carcasses with impunity, court issued the abovementioned directions. 

"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", the court observed.

Case Title: Gau Gyan Foundation vs The Union of India & ors