Patna: The Patna High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the open sale of meat and fish in violation of regulations in Patna and surrounding areas, raising concerns over public health and sanitation.
Hearing a public interest litigation, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu sought details from the state government on measures being taken to improve the condition of slaughterhouses.
The court directed the Bihar government and the Patna Municipal Corporation to file a comprehensive affidavit at the next hearing, outlining the status of slaughterhouses across the city, their hygiene standards and compliance with existing regulations.
The order came during the hearing of a petition filed by senior advocate Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, which alleged that meat and fish are being sold openly in several parts of the city without adherence to standard procedures. The court noted that such practices could pose serious health risks. The next hearing has been scheduled in four weeks.
Despite a recent government directive prohibiting the open sale of meat and fish, compliance remains poor. Authorities had instructed shopkeepers to sell meat in covered conditions, but the order has reportedly been ignored in several areas.
In places such as Chainpur’s Gola Bazaar, vendors have resumed open sale practices, leading to complaints from local residents. People living nearby said the situation has resulted in foul odours and unsanitary conditions, causing inconvenience and raising concerns about the spread of infections.
Residents and shopkeepers have urged the administration to take stricter action and implement a long-term solution to ensure cleanliness and proper regulation in local markets.
Earlier, on February 19, officials led by circle officer Pankaj Kumar had conducted an अभियान to remove encroachments and shut down open meat and fish stalls in the area. However, within days, vendors returned to the same spots, effectively disregarding administrative orders.
The court’s intervention is expected to increase pressure on authorities to enforce regulations more strictly and address ongoing sanitation issues in the city.
