Bangladesh, May 12 -- A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking directives to prohibit the commercial use of horse meat in Bangladesh.

The petition was submitted on Monday by the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation, A K Khan Healthcare Trust, and actress and animal welfare activist Jaya Ahsan in the public interest.

Barrister Sakib Mahbub, Dr Cynthia Farid, and Advocate Sajid Hasan will represent the petitioners.

The petitioners have requested that the authorities be instructed to formulate a national guideline and action plan within 60 days to eradicate the illegal trade, immediately halt the auction of seized and sick horses, and establish a dedicated facility, 'Abhayaranya-Bangladesh Animal Welfare Foundation', for ...