On January 13, the Uttar Pradesh police registered FIRs against 15 shop owners in Varanasi for selling meat within a 2 km radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The local administration confirmed that the shopkeepers had previously received notices instructing them to cease the sale of non-vegetarian food in the area. The action was taken after the shopkeepers violated the established guidelines.
According to local reports, the individuals accused in the case have been identified as Alam Qureshi, Amin, Bhuletan, Tanveer, Navaid, Shamim Qureshi, Mohd. Sharif, Mohd. Niaz, Bachha Qureshi, and Raiz. They have been charged under Sections 223 (disobedience to a public servant’s order) and 325 (mischief by killing or maiming an animal) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complaint in the case was filed by the Municipal Veterinary Officer two days after the shopkeepers were notified to cease selling meat on their premises. According to the complainant, the accused individuals, identified as Riaz and Qureshi, did not possess the necessary licenses to slaughter meat. Despite this, they continued selling meat within a 200-meter radius of the temple.
Earlier, the local administration had issued notices to approximately 26 shopkeepers operating within a 2 km radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. These shopkeepers were instructed to close their establishments due to violations of the rules. The action was based on a directive issued last year, which imposed a ban on the sale of meat within the 2-km radius of the temple.
One of the complaints filed against Riaz highlights, in addition to the illegal sale of meat, concerns about the unsanitary conditions of the shop. It raises alarms about the open sale of food, which could pose a significant risk of spreading infectious diseases.
The complaint further states that three prior notices were issued on February 17, 2024, January 2, 2025, and January 4, 2025. Despite receiving multiple warnings, the accused continued to operate their meat shop, selling fish, chicken, and mutton near the revered Hindu temple.
Dr. Santosh Pal, a veterinary officer with the Municipal Corporation, who filed the complaint against the accused, stated that the shop owners had received two notices—one in March of the previous year and another just a week ago. “In this drive, we have identified 26 shops so far and issued notices for failing to comply with the order. A formal complaint has also been lodged with the local police,” he added.
Mayor Ashok Tiwari also confirmed the action, stating that the shopkeepers had previously been issued notices to close their meat shops near the temple. He added that when the initial notices were given, the shopkeepers requested a 30-day extension to make alternative arrangements, but no action was taken on their part during that period. Notably, the shops are located in areas such as Nai Sadak, Beniabagh, Sheikh Salim Phatak, and other locations close to the temple.
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