The Uttar Pradesh government banned halal-certified food products across the state on Saturday, news agency ANI reported. "In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect," reads the official order.
"The manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified food products are banned with immediate effect," the order further reads.
"Action will be taken against the concerned person/firm under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and related rules," the order read.
According to a separate UP government decree, pharmaceuticals, medical gadgets, and cosmetic items bearing halal-certified labelling would face legal action.
This comes after the Lucknow police department filed a complaint on Friday against a firm and a few other organisations for allegedly manipulating people's religious sensitivities to enhance sales by offering bogus halal certifications.
Halal India Private Limited, Chennai; Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust, New Delhi; Halal Council of India, Mumbai; and Jamiat Ullema, Mumbai have all been charged.
The incident was reported to the Hazratganj police station when Shailendra Kumar Sharma, a resident of Motijheel Colony in Aishbagh, filed a complaint.
In terms of charges, the case has been filed under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 298 (uttering words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC.