Kerala HC Sets Eight-Week Deadline for Animal Market Monitoring Panels

The Kerala High Court has warned that all livestock markets across the state could be shut down if the government fails to constitute District Animal Market Monitoring Committees in every district within eight weeks, intensifying judicial scrutiny of animal welfare standards and enforcement of regulations governing cattle markets.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. issued the warning while hearing a public interest litigation filed by animal rights activist Angels Nair, alleging cruelty towards cattle brought for trade. The court noted that only Idukki district had constituted the required committee among the five districts whose collectors submitted affidavits: Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Malappuram and Idukki.

The bench questioned claims that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, were being strictly implemented, observing that authorities had not provided details of animals seized and produced as case property. It emphasised that the absence of monitoring committees could not justify violations and warned of a statewide closure if the deadline was missed.

The petition alleges that cattle are tethered in scorching heat without adequate food, drinking water or shelter. It has also raised concerns about facilities at the Perumbavoor cattle market in Ernakulam district, including inadequate protection from the sun and insufficient access to water. Such conditions can expose animals to dehydration, heat stress, injuries and disease, particularly where overcrowding, poor drainage and limited veterinary supervision are concerns.

The Union government notified the 2017 rules on May 23, 2017, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, following Supreme Court directions concerning livestock markets and animals seized in cruelty cases. The framework envisages adequate housing, feeding arrangements, drinking water, veterinary care, drainage and enclosures for sick animals. It also provides for district-level monitoring committees and local animal market committees.

However, the Supreme Court stayed certain provisions of the rules in August 2017, according to a subsequent Union government statement.

The High Court has directed the state government to submit an affidavit detailing cases registered under the applicable rules and action taken against violators. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 2, 2026. The court's warning is conditional; it has not ordered an immediate statewide shutdown.