The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the Nainital district magistrate to take a decision on the report submitted by the Ramnagar Municipal Corporation and grant permission for reopening the town’s slaughterhouse, which had been shut down by district authorities.
A division bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Alok Mahara passed the order while disposing of a public interest litigation filed by Ramnagar resident Anas Qureshi.
Qureshi had approached the court challenging the closure of the slaughterhouse, arguing that it had been operating in accordance with prescribed standards and that its functioning was covered by a valid tender extending till March 2026.
The petition contended that the abrupt closure of the abattoir had caused serious inconvenience to local traders and consumers. With meat now being supplied from Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring areas, prices had reportedly risen two to three times, the plea said.
It was also submitted that due to the closure, local residents were unable to access fresh meat and that the move had adversely affected livelihoods dependent on the facility.
The municipal authorities informed the court that the abattoir had complied with the necessary norms and requirements. After considering the submissions, the bench directed the district magistrate to decide on the report submitted by the Ramnagar Municipal Corporation and take an appropriate decision regarding the reopening of the slaughterhouse in accordance with law.
