'Can't Sacrifice Innocent Animals For Public Comfort; Even God Won't Forgive Us': Gujarat HC On Cows Butchered In Nadiad

The Court expressed deep concern over the disturbing photographs revealing the carcasses of cows dumped in an open land belonging to the Nadiad Municipal Corporation.

The division bench of Justices Ashutosh Shastri and Hemant Prachchhak stated, “Very disturbing and shocking... We feel that under the guise of regulating and implementing a policy, these innocent animals cannot be sacrificed. For the comfort of human lives, we cannot allow such a thing,” Justice Shastri observed when the matter was taken up for hearing on Tuesday.

“If this is happening, even God will not save all of us, forgive us. Innocent animals cannot be done away like this,” the bench added.

The court's observation came during the hearing of a contempt of court plea filed by Nadiad resident Maulik Shrimali, over a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the issue of stray cattle menace in cities and towns across the state, and seeking the Court's intervention to curb the issue of cattle menace in the state.

Maulik Shrimali, in his affidavit, brought to the court's attention the discovery of 30 cow carcasses on an open parcel of land, possibly belonging to the Nadiad Municipality, following a news report on the deaths of the animals in a cattle pound.

The court, not tolerating any compromise on the well-being of innocent animals, directed the district collector to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and submit a detailed report. The Court directed the report to include information on cattle pounds established for stray cattle, the amenities provided to the animals, and the conditions in which they are kept.

“Not a single innocent animal shall be sacrificed on account of public comfort,” the Court emphasized.

The district collector has been instructed to present before the court, on the next day of hearing, photographic evidence, details of medical treatment given to the cattle, the nourishment provided, and the number of cattle housed in one pound. The court stressed the urgency of the matter and called for the implementation of policies with proper steps while ensuring the humane treatment of animals.

Advocate General Kamal Trivedi was directed to instruct the Kheda District Collector to examine the issue and submit a comprehensive report. Assuring swift action, Trivedi pointed out that such acts of animal brutality are "at the behest of some miscreants," and authorities will identify those responsible.

Case Title: Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri Vs Jagadip Narayan Singh, IAS And Ors

Case No.: MISC. CIVIL APPLICATION FOR CONTEMPT No. 979 of 201