The Jammu and Kashmir High Court at Srinagar addressed a public interest litigation concerning food safety, where concerns about adulterated cheese and expired food products were also raised. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal noted that despite the sensitive nature of the matter, the Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar had chosen to remain silent and render no assistance.
On August 20, 2025, the Court had passed an initial order taking note of the petitioner’s submissions. The petition was filed in public interest to highlight the unchecked sale of rotten, unhygienic, and unsafe meat and poultry products in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the gross negligence and insensitivity of the authorities, who failed to enforce Food Safety and Municipal Laws despite repeated government advisories. With reference to a column titled “Meet the Meat Mafia” in a local newspaper, it was asserted that a hidden cartel supplied meat unfit for consumption to the region.
Ld. Amicus Curiae submitted that immediate judicial intervention was warranted to address grave public health crisis in J&K, particularly Kashmir valley, arising from the large-scale sale of rotten, unhygienic meat, fish, and poultry products. With reference to several reports published in leading newspapers and aired on television channels, it was asserted that such meat and poultry was transported into J&K from different parts of the country in unhygienic conditions without cold-chain facilities and requisite certification by authorized veterinary officers. It was further submitted that the apparent inaction and indifference on the part of the concerned authorities, including the Directorate of Food Safety, the Municipal Corporations, the Health Department, and law enforcement agencies to curb this menace, constitutes gross administrative negligence and apathy, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The Court observed that the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, mandates regulation, licensing, and inspection of slaughterhouses, meat markets, as well as premises where food was processed or sold; however, it appeared that the authorities had failed to discharge their statutory duties and obligations. The recent discovery of a large quantity of rotten meat in Kashmir was noted to underscore the immediate need for a strict regulatory mechanism.
At this stage, attention of the Court was drawn to CM No. 5762/2025 by the petitioner, who submitted that individuals previously involved in the trade of rotten meat had allegedly diverted their business activities towards the supply and sale of synthetic or adulterated cheese, posing equally serious public health risks. Reference was made to a local newspaper column reporting that, following intelligence from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Jammu, regarding the arrival of a suspicious consignment of cheese from Ambala, the Food Safety Wing of the Drug and Food Control Organization, J&K, seized a consignment of 2,100 kg (21 quintals) of adulterated ‘Cheese’ belonging to Shri Balaji Trading Company. Additionally, 78 tins of Trishool Brand Mustard Oil, which had expired in 2023, were also seized.
The respondents contended that the matter at hand was not adversarial in nature and was being pursued earnestly for the public good. It was further submitted that a comprehensive affidavit, indicating the necessary measures and initiatives taken by the concerned agencies, would be filed before the adjourned date.
The Court directed that, to address the matter conclusively, the Department of Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Housing and Urban Development Department, Commissioner of Sales Tax, and Inspector Generals of Police, Kashmir as well as Jammu Zone, were necessary to be arrayed as party respondents. In the meanwhile, it was directed that the Inspector Generals of Police, Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, and the Commissioner, Food Safety and Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organization, shall ensure that no unsafe food, in terms of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, was funneled into the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Appearances:
Petitioner: Mr. Jehangir Iqbal Ganai, Sr. Advocate (Amicus Curiae); Mr. Shafqat Nazir, Advocate; Mr. Mir Umar, Petitioner in Person
Respondents: Mr. Mohsin Qadri, Sr. AAG; Mr. Bikramdeep Singh, Dy. AG; Mr. Hakim Aman Ali, Dy. AG; Mr. Waseem Gul, GA
