Gujarat High Court Allows Undertrial To Be Taken Home In Police Custody To Perform Pet Dog's Last Rites

The Gujarat High Court on Friday (March 13) permitted a man in judicial custody in a case lodged by his wife, to perform the last rites of his pet dog he had for the past 14 years. 

During the hearing the counsel appearing for the applicant submitted that there was a dispute between the husband and the wife who had stayed together for 22 years, adding that the applicant was emotionally attached to his pet dog who had died and requested that he be released on bail for 2-3 days. The court said that it will ask the police to take the applicant for the funeral in custody and bring him back, asking the counsel to get instructions as to when the applicant wanted to be released. 

The court was hearing a bail application moved by the applicant. 

Justice Utkarsh Thakorbhai Desai thereafter in his order said, 

"Learned advocate Ms. Kruti M. Shah for the applicant submits that, the applicant was having a pet dog since last 14 years which has passed away. Because of the applicant's attachment with the pet dog, he wants to perform the last rites of his pet dog. The applicant is hereby directed to be taken to his house at Surat today i.e. 13.03.2026 with police custody immediately upon receipt of this order till 08.00 pm. The custody of the applicant shall be handed over to the concerned Jail Authority thereafter. The police personnel shall be in civil clothes and the cost of the police custody shall be borne by Government".

The court further directed that its order be sent by e-mail to the concerned court, police station and Lajpore Central Jail, Surat. 

The matter is next listed on March 30. 

Case title: MANISH PREMCHAND SHAH v/s  STATE OF GUJARAT 

R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE CHARGESHEET) NO. 6140 of 2026

Click Here To Read/Download Order