Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Sep 4: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday issued a series of directions to curb the alleged sale of rotten and unsafe meat in the Union Territory.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning food safety when it ordered multiple departments and senior officials to file responses by September 10, the next date of hearing.
The court impleaded several top-ranking officers as party respondents, including the Commissioner Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Commissioner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Commissioner of Sales Tax, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, and IGP Jammu.
The Commissioner, Food Safety, has also been tasked with ensuring that no unsafe meat enters or is sold within Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior Advocate Jehangir Iqbal Ganaie, acting as amicus curiae, assisted the bench, while Advocate Shafqat Nazir represented the petitioner. Petitioner Advocate Mir Umar was present in person.
The bench noted that replies had not yet been filed by the Commissioners of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). It directed that if responses are not submitted before the next hearing, the concerned officers must appear in person before the court.
The case also drew attention to a news report in regarding the seizure of 21 quintals of synthetic cheese and expired oil. The bench directed the respondents to file replies on this matter as well.
By directing the IGPs of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, along with the Commissioner, Food Safety, to monitor the sale and transport of meat products, the court signaled an enforcement-led approach to food safety. Compliance reports are expected on September 10.
Earlier, public health advocates and sections of civil society have long raised concerns over poor monitoring of food products in the region.
