Halal certification controversy: Supreme Court protects Jamiat chief Mahmood Madani against coercive action

The apex court issued notice to the State government and others seeking their responses on a plea filed by ‘Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Halal Trust’.

New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Friday protected former Rajya Sabha member Mahmood Madani and office bearers of Jamiat Ulama i-Hind Halal Trust from any coercive action in a criminal case registered in Uttar Pradesh, last year in connection with the ban on halal-certified products.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta were told by advocate M R Shamshad, representing the trust, the petitioner has been cooperating with the investigation. 

The State government issued a notice seeking personal presence of the trust President Mahmood Madani in connection with the probe. 

He said Madan's presence was not necessary at all.

The court ordered no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner and the office bearers in connection with the FIR lodged by Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on November 17, 2023. The bench also sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government.

The trust claimed that it is recognised globally and within the country for carrying an unblemished reputation for Halal certification.

The court had already issued notice to the UP government on two separate petitions filed by the Halal India Private Limited, an internationally recognised halal certification provider and Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra.

On January 5, the court had then declined to pass any interim order. The criminal case was lodged a day before the ban was imposed.

The complaint against the Halal Trust and Halal India alleged that trust was attracting consumers “of a particular religion” for creating profits by “fraudulently” providing Halal certification for certain products.