Supreme Court Judge Stresses Hygiene Standards at Eateries

Supreme Court Judge SVN Bhatti highlighted the importance of hygiene at eateries, recounting his preference for a vegetarian restaurant run by a Muslim during his tenure in Kerala for its international standards. The remarks came during a hearing on directives for eateries to display owner and staff names along Kanwar Yatra routes.

Supreme Court Judge SVN Bhatti emphasized the critical importance of hygiene and cleanliness at eateries, sharing a personal anecdote from his time in Kerala. While posted in the state, he frequented a vegetarian restaurant run by a Muslim, which he praised for maintaining international hygiene standards.

Justice Bhatti made his comments during a hearing with Justice Hrishikesh Roy on the bench, concerning directives from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These orders mandated eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes to display the names of their owners and staff. The Supreme Court stayed these directives but mentioned that eateries might need to display the type of food they serve, such as vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

The case involves multiple petitions against these orders, including those from TMC MP Mahua Moitra, academician Apoorvanand Jha, columnist Aakar Patel, and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Moitra, argued that choice should be based on the menu rather than the name of the owner.