Recently, the Supreme court ordered the Centre to either amend or delete the recent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
This Act enabled the Centre to confiscate any animal and put them in a secure environment (mostly cows). This can only happen if the offender was ill-treating the animal. The confiscated cows are taken to a “gaushala” until the charges are proved false.
The Court said that this goes against the livelihood of those who are highly dependent on cattle. Therefore, according to Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, the Act is contrary to the law.
Additional Solicitor General Jayant K. Sud came in defence of this Act by saying that there is cruelty against cattle and that it is valid. Others like the Buffalo Traders Welfare Association disagree with it. They say that the Act was used to seize and forfeit their cattle.
The next court session is on 11th January.
