Calcutta High Court Refuses to Stay Bengal’s Bakr Eid Animal Slaughter Restrictions, Seeks Better Enforcement Mechanism

May 21, 2026 : The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with a notification issued by the West Bengal government regulating the slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves and buffaloes ahead of the upcoming Bakr Eid (Eid al-Adha) festival.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the public notice dated May 13, issued under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act.

The High Court observed that the notification was issued in compliance with directions passed by a coordinate Bench in 2018, which had already attained finality. The Bench held that there were no grounds to stay or quash the notification.

Under the notification, slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves and buffaloes can only take place after obtaining a fitness certificate declaring the animal unfit for breeding, draught or agricultural purposes. Such slaughter is permitted only in authorised slaughterhouses. Authorities have also been empowered to inspect premises to prevent illegal slaughter.

While upholding the notification, the Court directed the State government to ensure an effective administrative mechanism for issuance of certificates under the Act and Rules. The Bench further asked the State to examine whether adequate infrastructure, authorised slaughterhouses and responsible officers were available across West Bengal for proper implementation of the law.

One of the petitions was filed by Trinamool Congress MLA Akhruzzaman, who contended that the State had failed to exercise its powers under Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act to grant exemption for religious sacrifice during Eid al-Adha.

The petitioner argued that sacrifice of larger animals such as buffaloes, bulls and bullocks was economically more viable for many Muslims, especially as prices of goats and sheep rise sharply before Bakr Eid.

Another plea sought additional safeguards in the notification, including a ban on slaughter in open public places and a declaration that cow sacrifice is not an essential religious practice in Islam.

While considering the matter, the High Court referred to earlier Supreme Court rulings holding that cow sacrifice is not an essential part of the Id-Uz-Zuha festival or a mandatory religious requirement under Islam.

The Bench directed the State government to consider amending the public notice by incorporating conditions prohibiting slaughter in open public places and clarifying that cow sacrifice is not part of any religious requirement or festival.

At the same time, the Court clarified that the State government retains the authority under Section 12 to decide whether exemptions for religious purposes should be granted. Since Bakr Eid is expected to be observed on May 27 or 28, the Court directed the State to take an appropriate decision within 24 hours from communication of the order.