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Gauhati HC delivers split verdict on pleas to ban dog meat sale in Nagaland
A division bench of the Gauhati High Court delivered a split verdict on two writ petitions seeking a ban on dog meat sales in Nagaland, with one judge dissenting. The petitions trace back to 2023 and 2024, challenging a 2023 quashing order; a detailed order is awaited.
Why It Matters
The ruling engages animal welfare, cultural practices, and regulatory authority under food safety law in Nagaland, with potential implications for regulation of dog meat trade in the region.
Timeline
6 Events
Gauhati High Court delivers split verdict on pleas to ban dog meat sale in Nagaland
April 22, 2026
A division bench of the Gauhati High Court delivered a split verdict on two writ petitions seeking ban on the sale of dog meat in Nagaland, with one of the judges registering his dissent. A detailed order is awaited.
Writ petition filed by Akhil Bharat Krishi Goseva Sangh
2024
A writ petition challenging the Nagaland ban was filed by Akhil Bharat Krishi Goseva Sangh in 2024.
Kohima Bench quashes ban order; chief secretary not appropriate authority under FSS Act
June 2, 2023
The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court quashed the Nagaland government's order to ban commercial sale of dog meat in restaurants. Justice Marli Vankun ruled that the chief secretary was not the appropriate authority to issue the ban order under section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Writ petitions filed by PFA and Humane Society International/India
2023
People For Animals and Humane Society International/India filed writ petitions seeking ban on sale of dog meat in Nagaland.
Traders challenge the ban’s basis and jurisdiction
September 2020
In September 2020, traders licensed to import dogs and sell dog meat challenged the legal basis and jurisdiction of the Nagaland government’s order.
Nagaland ban on import/trading of dogs, dog markets and dog meat notified
July 4, 2020
The Nagaland cabinet decided in 2020 to ban the commercial import and trading of dogs, dog markets and the sale of dog meat; the ban was notified by the chief secretary on July 4, 2020.