New Delhi: Environmentalist Shailesh Singh has raised questions about the functioning of Maria Frozen Slaughter House in Bareilly. Singh alleges that while the municipal corporation permitted the daily slaughter of 300 buffaloes, the facility has been illegally slaughtering far more animals than the approved number. He claims this is not just a violation of rules but also a case of administrative collusion.
A case has been filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the matter. During proceedings on November 10, 2024, Food Safety Commissioner Anita Singh acknowledged that the Maria company was slaughtering four times the permitted number of animals. This was also confirmed in an Income Tax Department investigation. She admitted that instead of 300, around 1,100 to 1,300 animals were being slaughtered daily.
Environmentalist Singh has approached the NGT against Maria Company’s illegal activities, rule violations, and arbitrary operations. The hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2025. Additionally, Pollution Control Board Chairman Manoj Singh has written to the Municipal Commissioner, urging an FIR against the company based on the Income Tax Department’s findings.
Between January and July 2024, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board issued seven warnings to the factory. On July 4, the factory was sealed over allegations of excess slaughter capacity, filth, foul odor, and the flow of blood and fat into drains. However, on July 11, the Allahabad High Court ordered the factory’s reopening, citing lack of prior notice before sealing. The court was reportedly not informed about the six previous actions taken against the facility.
This case is not just about illegal slaughter but also about public trust, administrative accountability, and constitutional integrity. Despite seven warnings and court orders, the factory continues to operate unchecked, raising serious concerns. When a system that advocates cleanliness, environmental protection, and public health fails to control the pollution from a slaughterhouse, the issue transcends mere meat production—it becomes a question of democratic accountability.
