HC allows meat sale in Anandpur Sahib pending notification

The petitioners had challenged the December 15 notification issued by the Government of Punjab proposing a ban on liquor, meat and meat products in the three cities.

2 min readChandigarhMar 4, 2026 04:03 AM IST

Shri Anandpur Sahib, meat sale in Anandpur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib meat sale, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Indian express news, current affairs

The order effectively allows traders in Shri Anandpur Sahib to continue their business operations lawfully until any restriction is formally brought into force in accordance with law.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has clarified that traders in Shri Anandpur Sahib cannot be prevented from selling meat and meat products until a formal notification imposing restrictions is issued by the competent authority.

Disposing of Civil Writ Petition (CWP-5827-2026) filed by Ranjit Singh and other small traders, a Division Bench of Justices Harsimran Singh Sethi and Vikas Suri recorded the state’s statement that although a notification dated December 15, 2025 had declared Amritsar, Shri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo as “holy cities”, no separate notification imposing the proposed restrictions had yet been issued by the concerned Administrative Secretary.

The petitioners had challenged the December 15 notification issued by the Government of Punjab proposing a ban on liquor, meat and meat products in the three cities. They contended that the move adversely affected their fundamental right to livelihood under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

During the hearing, the Punjab government submitted that while the notification had directed the Administrative Secretary to issue orders for imposition of restrictions, no such restriction had so far been notified. The Additional Advocate General informed the court that until the restrictions were formally imposed through a notification, the petitioners would not be stopped from selling any of the products, provided they were carrying on their trade in accordance with prescribed norms.

Recording this statement, the Bench observed that the petition was premature at this stage and disposed it of as not pressed any further.

The court, however, granted liberty to the petitioners to file an appropriate representation if they were harassed by any police official before the issuance of an implementation notification. It directed that any such representation be decided by the authorities within four weeks from the date of its receipt.

The order effectively allows traders in Shri Anandpur Sahib to continue their business operations lawfully until any restriction is formally brought into force in accordance with law.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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