Kerala High Court issued notice to Centre and state on PIL alleging cattle cruelty in markets. Bench of Ziyad Rahman A A and K V Jayakumar sought responses, listing matter for May 25.
The Kerala High Court issued notice to the Centre and the state government in a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging cruelty to animals at cattle markets in the state. The petition claims that domesticated bovines are kept tightly tethered, without access to water, and under intense heat throughout the day.
A bench comprising Justices Ziyad Rahman A A and K V Jayakumar issued notice to the Union government, the Kerala government, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), and the Perumbavoor municipality, seeking their responses to the allegations raised in the PIL filed by animal rights activist Angels Nair.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on May 25.
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In the PIL, Nair alleged that municipal and other local body-run cattle markets, including the Perumbavoor market, are functioning without proper shelter or adequate water facilities for the animals.
The plea has said,
“The cattle will be slaughtered in a couple of days, which is not an excuse for inflicting unfathomable agony,”
The petition further claims that cattle markets in Kerala are operating in violation of the advisory titled ‘Livestock in the Event of Heat Wave Situation’, issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as well as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
The petition relating to cattle markets in Kerala raises significant legal and constitutional concerns, particularly in the context of animal welfare and regulatory compliance. It alleges that several cattle markets are functioning in violation of the advisory titled “Livestock in the Event of Heat Wave Situation” issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as well as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017. These instruments collectively impose obligations on authorities and market operators to ensure humane treatment of animals, especially during extreme weather conditions.
At the core of the petition are allegations of cruelty and neglect. It is claimed that cattle are being kept in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions, often tied for long durations without access to adequate water, food, or shelter. During heatwave conditions, such treatment becomes particularly severe, as animals are exposed to direct sunlight without protective arrangements. If established, these acts would amount to violations not only of the 2017 Rules but also of the broader mandate under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.
The petition also brings into focus the constitutional dimension of animal welfare. Although animals are not legal persons, Indian constitutional jurisprudence recognises the importance of protecting them. Article 51A(g) of the Constitution imposes a fundamental duty on citizens to show compassion towards living creatures, and courts have repeatedly expanded the scope of Article 21 to include ecological and animal welfare concerns. In this context, the allegations suggest a failure to uphold these constitutional values in practice.
A critical aspect of the case is the apparent gap between legal provisions and their enforcement. The regulatory framework governing livestock markets is already in place, but the petition points to inadequate implementation by local authorities. Municipal bodies and regulatory agencies are expected to ensure compliance with statutory norms, including veterinary oversight and infrastructure requirements. Their failure to do so may amount to administrative negligence and raises questions about accountability.
The petition has sought directions from the High Court to prevent the alleged illegal functioning of cattle markets in Kerala.