Supreme Court refuses stay on Somnath meat ban, asks High Court to decide appeals

This case involves a challenge by restaurant owners against a notification by the District Magistrate of Gir Somnath that prohibits the preparation, sale, and storage of non-vegetarian food and eggs in specified areas near the Somnath Temple. The petitioners seek to quash this notification, arguing it violates their fundamental rights and was issued without proper procedure.

Who it concerns: Petitioners: M/s Taj Restaurant Owner Aakib Aminbhai Khan & Ors.; Respondents: State of Gujarat & Ors. (including District Magistrate, Gir Somnath, and Veraval Patan Joint Municipality); Bench: Honourable Ms. Justice Nisha M. Thakore (High Court of Gujarat).

What the court decided

• The Court heard the matter finally on 21st October 2026 with the consent of the parties, bypassing the usual admission stage.
• The Court noted that the petitioners' prayer for interim relief to operate their restaurants was opposed by the State.
• The Court recorded the background of previous notifications (2006, 2018, 2019) and the current notification dated 10th August 2026.
• The Court noted that a similar writ petition (S.C.A. No. 14356 of 2018) is pending before the Court with no interim relief granted.

Also in the document

• The judgment is dated 30th October 2026, but the provided text only covers the background, facts, and submissions, not the final operative order or relief granted.
• The text states the matter was 'reserved for orders' on 21st October 2026, implying the final decision was delivered on the date of the judgment (30th October 2026), but the specific outcome (granting or rejecting the writ) is not present in the truncated text.