Writ filed with HC seeking ban on trade of horse meat

A public interest litigation writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking directives and effective measures to ban the trade of horse meat in the country.

Actress and animal welfare activist Jaya Ahsan, along with the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation and AK Khan Healthcare Trust, jointly filed the writ on Monday, May 11.

The petition seeks directions for authorities to take necessary measures to stop the sale and trade of horse meat, citing concerns over animal welfare and public health. Barrister Sakib Mahbub, Dr Cynthia Farid and Advocate Sajid Hasan will represent the petitioners.

The writ states that meat from diseased animals is being fraudulently marketed as human food, posing serious risks to public health. Repeated appeals have been made to authorities, but no effective legal action has been taken, prompting the need for High Court intervention.

The petition seeks a time-bound investigation into the illegal horse meat trade uncovered in Gazipur, proper handling of complaints, and initiation of legal proceedings. It also seeks the formation of a national guideline within 60 days to ban such activities, a halt to the auction of sick and confiscated horses, and the creation of a sanctuary for the shelter of rescued animals.

The petitioners' lawyers stated that in early November 2025, a joint operation by the district administration, Department of Livestock, RAB-1 and police uncovered a cotton factory in Gazipur being used as an illegal slaughterhouse. Authorities found 36 critically ill horses, eight slaughtered carcasses, and a large quantity of meat prepared for sale.

The rescued animals were found in extremely unhealthy conditions, suffering from malnutrition, infections, open wounds, maggot infestations, tumours, and other complications. Tests by Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University detected antibiotic-resistant bacteria, parasitic infections, fungal contamination, and suspected tuberculosis.

The writ states that the meat from these slaughtered horses was being fraudulently sold in markets as beef, deceiving consumers.