Supreme Court Grants Interim Protection To Jamiat Chief and Halal Trust in Uttar Pradesh

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has provided interim protection to Mahmood Madani, president of the Mahmood faction of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, and other office-bearers of the Halal Trust. This protection shields them from coercive actions stemming from the Uttar Pradesh government’s ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of Halal-certified products in the state.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta not only granted interim protection but also issued a notice on the plea filed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust, challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s prohibition on Halal-certified products.

During the brief hearing, Advocate MR Shamshad, representing the Jamiat, emphasized that despite the organization’s cooperation in the investigation and the submission of all requested documents, the state government summoned the trust’s president without specifying the required information.

In response, Justice Gavai directed, “Show them that the Supreme Court is seized of the matter.”

“We have pointed out that the Supreme Court is seized of this matter. They want the president to be present. He is a former Rajya Sabha member. This is completely extra-judicial,” Shamshad argued.

The bench, recognizing the situation, declared that no coercive steps should be taken against the petitioner, the organization, and its office-bearers.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh Government in response to a plea filed by Halal India Private Limited and Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra, challenging the Halal certification ban imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government in November of the previous year.

In a move that stirred controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government had, in November 2023, ordered an immediate ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of food products carrying a Halal tag.

The latest developments highlight the legal battle around the ban on Halal-certified products and underscore the role of the Supreme Court in addressing these contentious issues.