Allahabad High Court dismisses PIL over Amroha meat shop closures

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the closure of meat shops in the Amroha district during the Sawan month. The petition, filed by advocate Nasir Farooq, alleged that authorities were forcing chicken and mutton shops to close, including those located away from the designated Kanwar Yatra routes.

The petitioner claimed that shopkeepers were being harassed and issued undated notices by the police, affecting the livelihoods of many. However, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra dismissed the plea, characterizing it as a “publicity interest litigation” rather than a public interest one.

The court noted that the petitioner failed to disclose the names of specific shopkeepers affected and pointed out that the petitioner had previously made representations seeking the closure of liquor shops on the Kanwar Yatra route. The bench observed that the petition lacked material support and appeared to be an attempt to misuse the PIL jurisdiction.