In a writ petition filed before the Calcutta High Court to prevent the illegal sacrifice of animals at the puja pandals, a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das De directed the Government Authorities and the Bolla Kali Puja Committee to abide by the undertaking whereby, among other things, it was decided that no mass sacrifice would be conducted.
The petitioners contended that the sacrifice of animals at the puja pandals was totally impermissible and contrary to the spirit of the Supreme Court’s decisions as well as the statutory mandate under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001 (Rules).
On 31-10-2025, the respondents informed the Court that a meeting was scheduled for 03-11-2025 regarding the Bolla Kali Puja 2025, during which a decision would be taken on the question of animal sacrifice in a religious function.
Departmental authorities and representatives of the Bolla Kali Temple Trust attended the meeting, during which it was decided that no mass sacrifice would be conducted, and the Bolla Kali Puja Committee was requested to convince people to refrain from animal sacrifice.
The petitioner submitted that slaughter could take place only at the designated place, and the respondent submitted that to follow the niyam raksha/rituals, the Puja Committee would sacrifice only two animals, but such a sacrifice would take place at the designated place as per the Rules.
Thus, the Court directed that it be the duty of the Government authorities, including the panchayat and local body authorities, to ensure compliance with the undertaking recorded in the meeting held on 03-11-2025. The Bolla Kali Puja Committee was also directed to abide by the said undertaking and implement it in letter and spirit.
Further, the Court stated that it would be the duty of the State Authority to ensure that no animal slaughter is carried out in an area that is not designated under the Rules. The present order was directed to be circulated by the State authorities and the Bolla Kali Puja Committee.
Appearances:
For Petitioner – Mr. Vinay Kr. Sharaff, Mr. Dev Kr. Agarwal, Ms. Swarnwarshi Poddar
For Respondents – Mr. Kishore Datta, Ms. Sumita Shaw, Mr. Soumen Chatterjee, Mr. Kalyan Kumar Chakraborty, Dr. Benoy Brata Bhowmik, Mr. Gopal Krishna Sarkar.
