In a hearing marked by firm exchanges and some visible tension, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Bolla Kali Puja Committee and the State government to strictly ensure that no mass animal sacrifice takes place during the upcoming Kali Puja. The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen.
The courtroom saw participation from representatives of the petitioner Shree Vardhman Parivar, the Advocate General of West Bengal, and the counsel for the Bolla Kali Temple Committee.
Background
The issue of animal sacrifice during the annual Bolla Kali Puja has been entangled in legal challenges for the past few years. The petitioner relied on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, arguing that any slaughter must only take place in officially designated spaces.
Earlier, a government-convened meeting on November 3, 2025, had recorded that the temple committee would avoid mass sacrifice and work to convince devotees to refrain. Similar directions had been issued by the High Court in previous years, and even the Supreme Court, in 2019, had stressed that any animal sacrifice linked to religious customs must occur only in lawful slaughter premises.
Court’s Observations
The Bench took note of the undertakings recorded in the November 3 meeting. The Advocate General emphasized that the State is committed to ensuring compliance. The counsel for the temple committee added that while the committee itself will sacrifice only two animals following traditional “niyam raksha,” it cannot control individual devotees’ private acts.
However, the court appeared unconvinced that this inability exempts responsibility.
“The bench observed, ‘It is the duty of the State and the committee to ensure that conditions agreed upon are not mere formality but implemented in letter and spirit.’”
The judges also referred to judgments from the Tripura and Himachal Pradesh High Courts that disapproved large-scale ritual sacrifice, noting that the Supreme Court has not set aside those directions and has instead reinforced compliance with slaughter rules.
The court seemed particularly insistent on awareness and enforcement, not symbolic compliance. The tone suggested the Bench is monitoring the issue closely, especially given three separate pending petitions on this same puja.
Decision
The Court issued the following directions:
- Government authorities, including the local Panchayat bodies, must strictly ensure implementation of the undertakings recorded in the November 3, 2025 meeting.
- The Bolla Kali Puja Committee must adhere to the commitments it made, without exception.
- No animal slaughter may occur outside designated locations approved under the 2001 Slaughter Rules.
- The order must be circulated publicly by November 5, 2025, to create awareness among villagers and devotees.
- The State must use electronic platforms to ensure broad outreach of the order.
The matter has been listed for further review in the second week of December 2025, together with related pending cases.
The article ends here, at the court’s decision.
Case Title: Shree Vardhman Parivar vs. State of West Bengal & Others (Bolla Kali Puja Animal Sacrifice Case)
Court: Calcutta High Court (Division Bench)
Bench: Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen
Case No.: WPA(P) 427 of 2025
Petitioner: Shree Vardhman Parivar
Respondents: State of West Bengal & Bolla Kali Temple Committee
Date of Order: November 4, 2025