Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ordered the state government to draft uniform guidelines within four weeks regulating meat and non-vegetarian food sales within 100 metres of temples, schools, and hospitals, addressing public sentiment, hygiene, traffic, and law-and-order concerns.
Justice B Vijaysen Reddy issued the directive Tuesday while hearing a writ petition from Hyderabad restaurateur Bipin Ramdas, who claimed harassment by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and police.
Ramdas alleged selective targeting of his outlet despite similar establishments nearby, noting police detained his workers for lacking permissions and calling the actions arbitrary and discriminatory. The government countered that the non-vegetarian kitchen sits near a Hanuman temple, prompting community objections and public order risks; GHMC highlighted traffic issues, denied a permanent licence recommendation, and noted operations on a temporary permit.
The court instructed Principal Secretaries of Municipal Administration and Home departments to formulate comprehensive rules, potentially mandating No Objection Certificates from local police for sensitive sites. Until finalised, Ramdas cannot operate the non-vegetarian section.