The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a slaughterhouse cannot be permitted to resume operations merely on the strength of a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration certificate, emphasizing that a valid regular licence is mandatory for operating the facility at its intended capacity.
The Court was hearing a petition filed by the operator of a slaughterhouse in Kanpur Nagar seeking permission to reopen the establishment. The petitioner argued that possession of a registration certificate under food safety regulations was sufficient to continue operations.
Rejecting the contention, the High Court observed that regulatory compliance requires obtaining the appropriate licence prescribed under the applicable statutory framework. The Court clarified that a registration certificate cannot substitute for a regular operational licence where the scale and nature of activities demand formal licensing approval.
While dismissing the petition, the Court provided limited relief by allowing the petitioner to cure the deficiencies identified by the authorities and either submit a fresh application or continue pursuing the existing licensing process in accordance with law.
The judgment underscores the importance of strict adherence to licensing requirements in sectors involving public health, food safety, and municipal regulation. The Court's observations reinforce the principle that regulatory permissions must be obtained in the manner prescribed by statute and cannot be bypassed through partial compliance.
The ruling is expected to serve as an important precedent for businesses operating in regulated industries, particularly those dealing with food processing and animal slaughter, where multiple statutory approvals may be required before commencing or resuming operations.