Cruel Transportation Of Cattle No Ground To Presume They Were Being Taken For Slaughter: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court granted bail to two men who were booked under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, observing that merely because an animal is found in an inhuman condition would not be a ground to presume that the cattle seized was being transported for slaughtering. 

The court was hearing a regular bail of two men accused of offences under IPC as well as provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Justice Hasmukh D Suthar noted that the allegation against the two men was that they along with the co-accused were found transporting 10 cows and 2 calves without arranging proper food or water and had tied them in a cruel manner.

"The animal found in inhuman condition is not a ground to presume that the said cattle were transporting for slaughter purpose," the court said. 

It also noted that the applicants were behind bars since 12.10.2026 and had no past antecedents. It noted that substantial part of investigation is over and there was nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicants. It also said that the commencement and conclusion of trial will take time. 

"In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, without discussing the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicants on regular bail," the court said. 

The court granted bail subject to certain conditions.