38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, October 31, 2024
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

No insistence on displaying names of owners, employees: SC

By Jhanak Singh      27 July, 2024 09:37 AM      0 Comments
No insistence on displaying names of owners employees SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court was on Friday told some of the eateries in Kanwar Yatra route carried Hindu Gods names but their owners and employees were of different religion which affected Yatris right to take informed decision.

The court, however, said its July 22 is clear that there should not be any insistence by the law enforcement authorities to display names and employees of food sellers, falling in the route of 'Kanwar Yatra' (holy expedition).

The top court extended its July 22 prohibition on enforcing the directive issued by SSP Muzaffarnagar on July 17.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti said the prohibition on the order would continue till August 5, 2024, even as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand contended the apex court's order was coming in the way of implementation of the provisions of Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006.

The court, however, clarified that the previous order would not prevent anyone from voluntarily displaying the names of owners and staff. "If somebody wants to do it voluntarily, then he can do it but there should not be any insistence," the bench said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi for the petitioners sought time to file a response to the counter affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government defending its directive.

Also Read: Directive to display food sellers' name during Kanwar Yatra to ensure informed choice, UP govt tells SC

He claimed the Uttar Pradesh government admitted there was a discrimination but it was not of permanent nature. He said there was no such mandate in last 60 years.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi for the state government submitted as per regulations under the Central law Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006, every food seller, including dhabas, was required to display the names of the owners.

He said the interim order stay was not in line with this central law.

The court, however, asked the state government, if it was so, why the directive was not enforced across the state.

Rohatgi said it was a duty of the petitioners to bring it to the notice of the court on the previous date of hearing. He asked the court to fix the matter for consideration on Monday or Friday or the matter would become infructuous.

The Uttarakhand government represented by Deputy Advocate General Jatinder Kumar Sethi said the legal mandate has been enforced across the state during the festival but the interim order by the apex court created problem.

Madhya Pradesh government, on its part, denied issuance of any direction for displaying the names of owners by food sellers.

During the hearing, some of the intervenors 'Kanwar yatris' contended the display of information was not a privileged one, and they wanted to have informed choice.

In its affidavit, the Uttar Pradesh government told the court that the idea behind July 17 directive to all food sellers to display identity of owners and employees was to ensure public safety, order, transparency and informed choice for 'Kanwariyas' who undertake 'yatra' during 'Shravan' month.

It also maintained the directive was temporary in nature for a limited geographical extent. The order was non discriminatory and was brought about keeping in mind religious sentiments for those 'Kanwariyas' who prefer 'sativik' foods only and don’t, even accidently, fall foul of their beliefs.

On July 22, the apex court had prohibited the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh governments from enforcing their controversial directives.

"The food sellers (including dhaba owners, restaurants, foods and vegetable sellers, hawkers, etc) may be required to display the kind of food that they are serving to the Kanwariyas. But they must not be forced to display the name/identity of the owners and also the employees, deployed in their respective establishments," the court had ordered.

An NGO, Association For Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), All India Trinamool Congress leader, MP Mahua Moitra and academician Prof Apoorvanand and others approached the SC, claiming the directive issued by SSP Muzaffarnagar was discriminatory and in violation of Article 14, 15, 17, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution.
 



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

The Orissa High Court has been without a permanent chief justice since January 5, 2020 after the retirement of former Chief Justice, KS Jhaveri. The high court is currently headed by acting Chief Justice Sanju Panda.

TRENDING NEWS


TOP STORIES

sc-tells-ncp-led-by-ajit-pawar-to-declare-use-of-clock-symbol-sub-judice
Trending Judiciary
SC tells NCP led by Ajit Pawar to declare use of Clock symbol sub judice

SC directs Ajit Pawar-led NCP to declare ‘Clock’ symbol use as sub judice in all election materials, pending final court ruling on its rightful ownership.

25 October, 2024 11:12 AM
justice-sanjiv-khanna-to-take-oath-as-chief-justice-of-india-on-nov-11-2024
Trending Legal Insiders
Justice Sanjiv Khanna to take oath as Chief Justice of India on Nov 11, 2024 [Read Notification]

Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding CJI Chandrachud, with a tenure starting on November 11, 2024.

25 October, 2024 11:17 AM
sc-grants-bail-to-businessman-in-delhi-liquor-policy-scam-case
Trending Judiciary
SC grants bail to businessman in Delhi liquor policy scam case

Supreme Court grants bail to businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in Delhi liquor policy scam case, noting the lengthy trial process with over 300 witnesses.

25 October, 2024 04:11 PM
sc-dismisses-ex-jharkhand-cms-plea-for-suspension-of-conviction-to-allow-him-contest-assembly-polls
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses ex Jharkhand CM's plea for suspension of conviction to allow him contest Assembly polls

The Supreme Court rejects ex-Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda’s plea to stay his conviction, barring him from contesting the upcoming Assembly elections.

25 October, 2024 05:10 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email