The Kerala High Court has ordered the formation of animal market monitoring committees in every district within two months, warning that livestock markets may be closed if authorities fail to comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Angels Nair of Ernakulam. The petition sought the closure of cattle markets operating without roofs, where animals are allegedly left exposed to temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius until they are purchased.
The court had earlier directed district collectors to submit affidavits detailing compliance with the mandatory requirements governing livestock markets. Collectors were also asked to report on the care and maintenance of animals seized in cruelty cases and kept as case property in their respective districts.
After examining the affidavits, the bench found that a district animal market monitoring committee had been constituted only in Idukki. The court also noted that, although the affidavits stated that the 2017 rules were being strictly followed in the handling of seized animals, they did not provide details to substantiate those claims.
The division bench said it was difficult to accept that the rules had been followed scrupulously in every district. The observation places the responsibility for implementation directly on the state government and district administrations, which are required to establish the monitoring structure and demonstrate compliance through records.
The case also brings attention to the physical conditions of livestock markets. The petition specifically raised the absence of roofs and the exposure of animals to extreme heat, linking market infrastructure with the enforcement of animal-welfare requirements. The court’s warning means that continued operation could be at risk if markets do not meet the prescribed requirements or if monitoring committees are not formed within the deadline.
The court has directed the state government to file a further affidavit by December 2. The affidavit must disclose the cases registered under the 2017 rules so far and the action taken against violators. The petition has been posted for further hearing on the same date.
