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Gujarat High Court

Arvindkumar Babulal Khandelval vs State Of Gujarat on 1 September, 2015

Author: J.B.Pardiwala

Bench: J.B.Pardiwala

                    R/SCR.A/5021/2015                                                   ORDER



                     IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

              SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION (QUASHING) NO. 5021 of 2015

         ==========================================================
                      ARVINDKUMAR BABULAL KHANDELVAL....Applicant(s)
                                        Versus
                            STATE OF GUJARAT....Respondent(s)
         ==========================================================
         Appearance:
         MR HIMANSU M PADHYA, ADVOCATE for the Applicant(s) No. 1
         MS HB PUNANI, ADDL. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR for the Respondent(s) No. 1
         ==========================================================

                    CORAM: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE J.B.PARDIWALA
          
                                          Date : 01/09/2015 
                                            ORAL ORDER

1. Rule   returnable   forthwith.   Ms.   Punani,   the   learned   Additional  Public Prosecutor waives service of notice of rule for and on behalf of the  respondent.

2. By this application under Article 227 of the Constitution of India,  the   petitioner   calls   in   question   the   legality   and   validity   of   the   order  dated 11th  August, 2015 passed by the learned 6th  Additional Sessions  Judge, Banaskantha at Palanpur in Criminal Revision Application No.18  of   2015,   by   which,   the   learned   Sessions   Judge   rejected   the   revision  application thereby affirming the order dated 14th July, 2015 passed by  the   learned   Judicial   Magistrate   First   class,   Amirgadh   in   Muddamal  Application No.37 of 2015 arising from the FIR being C.R. No.II­3047 of  2015   registered   with   the   Amirgadh   Police   Station   for   the   offence  punishable under Sections­279 of the IPC; Sections­177 and 184 of the  M.V.   Act.;   Sections­5,   6,   6(a),   8,   9   and   10   of   the   Bombay   Animal  Preservation   Act,   1954   and   Sections­11(1),   A,   D,   E,   H,   I   of   the  Prevention of Cruelty to the Animals Act, 1960.



                                                  Page 1 of 14

HC-NIC                                         Page 1 of 14      Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015
                     R/SCR.A/5021/2015                                                  ORDER




3. It appears from the materials on record that the petitioner herein  is the registered owner of the vehicle in question a Mahindra Maxi Truck  bearing registration No.RJ­24­GA­2810 which was seized by the police  while transporting three bullocks. It appears that the bullocks were being  transported from Rajasthan to Gujarat. It is the case of the police that  the same were being transported for the purpose of slaughter. 

4. The  petitioner  herein  being  the  registered owner  of  the  vehicle  filed   an   application   under   Section­451   of   the   code   for   release   of   the  vehicle. The same was rejected by the learned Judicial Magistrate First  Class, Amirgadh considering the provision of Section­6A of the Animal  Preservation Act. The revision application filed by the petitioner before  the Sessions Court was also rejected.

5. Prima­facie, there is nothing to show that the bullocks were being  transported for the purpose of slaughter. The mere bald assertion on the  part of the police in that regard would not be sufficient to attract the  provision of Section­6A of the Act which imposes a bar for release of the  vehicle for a period of six months from the date of the seizure.

6. Mr.   Padhya,   the   learned   advocate   appearing   for   the   petitioner  submitted that the Gram Panchayat of Village­Sirohi, Rajasthan has also  issued   a   certificate   that   the   bullocks   were   being   purchased   for   the  purpose of agricultural. 

7. I had an occasion to consider this issue in the case of Ravidasbhai  Segjibhai   Vasava  Vs.  State  of   Gujarat,  Special   Criminal  Application  No.4790 of 2014, decided on 03.12.2014. I may quote the observations  made by me from Para­8 to 14:­

8. The moot question is whether the provisions of section 6(A) clause   Page 2 of 14 HC-NIC Page 2 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER (4) applies  in the facts  and  circumstances  of the case. Section  6(A)   clause (1) reads as under:

(1) No person shall transport or offer for transport or cause to be   transported any animal specified in subsection (1A) of section 5   from any place within the State to any another place within the   State   for   the   purpose   of   its   slaughter   in   contravention   of   the   provisions of this Act or with the knowledge that it will be or is   likely to be so slaughtered: Provided that a person shall be deemed   to be transporting such animal for the purpose of slaughter unless   contrary   is   proved   thereto   to   the   satisfaction   of   the   concerned   authority or officer by such person or he has obtained a permit   under   subsection   (2)   for   transporting   animal   for   bona   fide   agricultural or animal husbandry purpose from such authority or   officer as the State Government may appoint in this behalf.

9. Section 6(A) clause (4) reads as under:

(4) The vehicle or conveyance so seized under subsection (3) shall   not be released by the order of the court on bond or surety before   expiry of six months from the date of such seizure or till the final   judgment or the court, whichever is earlier.

10. The plain reading of section 6(A) clause (1) would indicate that   the same is applicable in a case where it is found that the animals were   being transported from any place within the State to any other place   within the State for the purpose of slaughter in contravention of the   provisions of the Act or with the knowledge that they were likely to be   slaughtered.   There   is   a   proviso   to   section   6(A)   clause   (1)   which   provides that a person shall be deemed to be transporting such animal   for the purpose of slaughter unless contrary is proved thereto to the   satisfaction of the concerned authority or officer by such person or he   has obtained a permission under sub­section (2) for transporting the   animal for bona fide agricultural or animal husbandry purpose.

11. Clause (4) to section 6(A) puts a restriction so far as the release of   the vehicle is concerned for a period of six months.

12. It is, therefore, manifest that section 6(A) clause (4) would apply   only in a case where the animals are being transported for the purpose   of slaughter.

13. It is not in dispute so far as the present case is concerned that no   permit was obtained by the petitioner herein as the registered owner of   the vehicle for the purpose of transport. However, at the same time, the   prosecution has to, prima facie, show something that the transport of   the   cattle   was   for   the   purpose   of   slaughter.   For   such   purpose,   I   inquired   with   Mr.   Dabhi,   the   learned   APP,   regarding   the   materials   Page 3 of 14 HC-NIC Page 3 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER collected  by the police  in the course  of investigation.  Mr. Dabhi  has   fairly   submitted   that   there   is   nothing   to   show   that   the   cattle   were   being transported for the purpose of slaughter. It appears that there is   no investigation in that direction. If it is the case of the prosecution   that  the   cattle  were   being   transported  for   the  purpose  of  slaughter,   then at least, it is expected from the investigating officer to investigate   at which place they were being taken and were to be handed over to   whom for the purpose of slaughter. There is nothing in that regard. In   the   absence   of   such   material,   in   my   view,   the   prosecution   cannot   straight way take  recourse  to the deeming  fiction  as provided  under   section  6(A)(1).  In such  circumstances,  I am  of the  view  that  there   should not be any legal impediment in releasing the vehicle before the   expiry of the statutory time period i.e. six months.

14. I may quote with profit a decision of this court dated 7 th October,   2013 rendered in Special Criminal Application No.1911 of 2013 and   Special Criminal Application No.1912 of 2013. I quote paragraphs­ 6,   6.1 and 6.2. 

6. In this context, it would be appropriate to take into account the   decision by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case between Sunderbhai   Ambalal Desai v. State of Gujarat [AIR 2003 SC 638]. Though in   the   said   decision,   provisions   under   Prevention   of   Cruelty   to   Animals   Act,   1960   were   not   under   consideration   before   the   Hon'ble   Apex   Court,   however,   in   the   said   decision,   the   Hon'ble   Apex Court considered the scope and effect of the provision under   Section 451 of the Criminal Procedure Code and also the approach   which ought to be taken by the Court in cases covered by the said   provision. With reference to the request for releasing vehicles, the   Hon'ble Apex Court observed thus: 

15. In our view, whatever be the situation, it is of no use to keep   seized vehicles at the police stations for a long period. It is for the   magistrate   to   pass   appropriate   orders   immediately   by   taking   appropriate bond and guarantee as well as security for return of   the said vehicles, if required at any point of time. This can be done   pending hearing of applications for return of such vehicles.
16. In case where the vehicle is not claimed by the accused, owner   or the insurance  company or by third person,  then such vehicle   may be ordered to be auctioned by the court. If the said vehicle is   insured with the insurance company then insurance company be   informed by the court to take possession of the vehicle which is not   claimed by the owner or a third person. If insurance company fails   to take possession the vehicles may be sold as per the direction of   the court. The court would pass such order within a period of six  months from the date of production of the said vehicle before the   Page 4 of 14 HC-NIC Page 4 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER court. In any case before handling over possession of such vehicles,   appropriate photographs of the said vehicle should be taken and   detailed panchnama should be prepared. (emphasis supplied) 6.1   Subsequently   while   considering   the   case   in   light   of   the   provisions   under   the   Gujarat   Mineral   (Prevention   of   Illegal   Mining,   Transportation   and   Storage)   Rules,   2005,   the   Hon'ble   Division   Bench   of   this   Court,   after   considering   the   above   mentioned judgment in case of Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai (supra),   observed, inter alia, that: 
15.   The   principle   as   laid   down   by   the   Supreme   Court   in   Sunderbhai  Ambalal  Desai  (supra)  could  be made  applicable  in   the facts of the present case.
16. xxx xxx
17. If the Rules of 2005 empowers an authorized officer to seize a  vehicle   on   the   ground   of   contravention   or   breach   of   other   provisions of the Rules, then at the same time, it is also expected of   the concerned Department to keep the vehicle in a safe custody and   in a manner to ensure that the vehicle is not damaged, but it is a   matter of common knowledge that as and when vehicles are seized   and kept in the open office premises of the Department, not only   they   occupy   substantial   space   of   the   office   premises   of   the   Department, but upon being kept in open, are also prone to fast   natural   decay   on   account   of   weather   conditions.   Even   a   good   maintained vehicle loses its road worthiness if it is kept stationary   in the Police  station  or other  places  for more  than fifteen  days.  

Apart from the above, it is also a matter of common knowledge   that several valuable and costly parts of the said vehicles are either   stolen or are cannibalised so that the vehicles become unworthy of   being driven on road. Ultimately, if the Department fails to make   out any case and the confiscation proceedings are dropped, then   under   such   circumstances,  even  if the  vehicle  is  returned  to  the   owner,   it   will   not   serve   any   good   purpose   because   of   extensive   damage being already caused to such vehicles. To avoid all this,   Rules  provide  for  release  of the  vehicle  on  execution  of a bond.   Rule   18   of   the   Rules,   2005,   as   referred   to   above,   enables   the   authorised officer to provide for interim custody of such property,   pending  conclusion of the confiscation proceedings, or any other   enquiry.   It   is   only   a   temporary   arrangement,   and   what   is   contemplated is, only an interim provision to provide custody with   a proper person as the authorised officer thinks fit, with liability   to   produce   the   property   back   as   and   when   directed   by   the   authorised officer. The maximum duration of the arrangement is   only till conclusion of the confiscation proceedings, or any other   Page 5 of 14 HC-NIC Page 5 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER enquiry. It follows that the arrangement is only temporary and the   main   object   is   to   protect   or   preserve   the   property,   pending   the   confiscation   proceedings.   Even   if   the   person   entrusted   with   the   interim custody is the owner, his possession or custody during the   period of entrustment is only as representative of the authorised   officer, and not in his independent right. He is bound by the terms   of   entrustment   and   the   bond   executed   by   him  in   favour   of   the   authorised officer. His ownership or right to possession may not   operate against his obligation to the Department. The entrustment   or   custody   will   not   invest   him   with   any   preferential   right   to   ownership or even possession. In the eye of law, his possession or   custody is only that of the authorised officer of the Department.   What   is   stated   above   does   not   mean   that   the   power   of   the   authorised   officer   is   arbitrary.   Even   though   the   power   is   discretionary,   it   has   to   be   exercised   in   a   judicious   manner.   Whenever   such   application   for   interim   custody   of   the   vehicle   is   preferred,   the   authorized   officer   is   obliged   to   take   into   consideration   many   other   factors,   over   and   above   the   contravention   which   is   alleged.   While   deciding   such   an   application,   the   authorised   officer's   main   concern   should   be   to   protect   or   preserve   the   property,   pending   the   confiscation   proceedings or any other enquiry. An application under Rule 18 of   the Rules, 2005 could not be rejected only on the ground that the   owner  of the vehicle  is alleged  to have  committed  breach of the   Rules. If that be the only consideration, then the object with which   Rule 18 of the Rules, 2005 has been enacted, would get frustrated.   The authorised officer is obliged to keep the object of Rule 18 of   Rules, 2005 in mind while deciding the application. In the present   case,   we   have   noticed   that   the   Collector,   Surat,   being   the   authorised officer under the Rules of 2005, took into consideration   only the fact that the petitioner being the owner of the vehicle, was   trying to transport the sand outside the State of Gujarat and has   past   antecedence.   The   Collector,   Surat   failed   to   consider   the   consequences   of   keeping   the   vehicle   idle   at   an   open   place   for   months   together   pending   the   confiscation   proceedings,   and   also   failed to consider that the vehicle is prone to fast natural decay on   account of weather condition. Such being the position, we are of   the   opinion   that   the   authorised   officer   failed   to   exercise   his   discretion in a judicious manner. The discretion has to be exercised   judiciously and not as per the whims and caprice of the authorised   officer. (emphasis supplied) Thus, Hon'ble Division Bench applied the observations by Hon'ble   Apex Court in the case of Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai (supra) to   the case under Mines Act. 

6.2 At this stage, it would be relevant to refer to the observations   Page 6 of 14 HC-NIC Page 6 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER in a recent  decision  by Hon'ble  Apex  Court  in the  case  between   Multani  Hanifbhai Kalubhai v. State of Gujarat [2013  (3) SCC   240], more particularly paragraphs 6 to 12 of the said decision,   which read thus:

6.   The   Bombay   Animal   Preservation   Act,   1954   (in   short   "the   Bombay Act"),which was enacted for the preservation of animals   suitable for milch, breeding or for agricultural purposes was made   applicable to the State of Gujarat. The following provisions of the   said Act are relevant for the case in hand: 
"Section  5 Prohibition against slaughter without certificate  from   Competent Authority.
(1) Notwithstanding any law for the time being in force or any   usage  to the  contrary,  no person  shall  slaughter  or cause  to be   slaughtered any animal unless, he has obtained in respect of such   animal   a   certificate   in   writing   from   the   Competent   Authority   appointed for the area that the animal is fit for slaughter. 
(1A) No certificate under subsection (1) shall be granted in respect   of­
(a) a cow;
(b) the calf of a cow, whether male or female and if male, whether   castrated or not;
(c) a bull;
(d) a bullock;
(2)   In   respect   of   an   animal   to   which   subsection   (IA)   does   not   apply, no certificate shall be granted under subsection (1) if in the   opinion of the Competent Authority
(a)   the   animal,   whether   male   or   female,   is   useful   or   likely   to   become   useful   for   the   purpose   of   draught   or   any   kind   of   agricultural operations;
(b) the animal if male, is useful or likely to become useful for the   purpose of breeding;
(c) the animal, if female, is useful or likely to become useful for   the purpose of giving milk or bearing offspring. 
(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to(a) the slaughter of any   of the following animals for such bona fide religious purposes, as   may be prescribed, namely :
(i) any animal above the age of fifteen years other than a cow,   Page 7 of 14 HC-NIC Page 7 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER bull or bullock.
(ii) a bull above the age of fifteen years
(iii) a bullock above the age of fifteen years.
(b) the slaughter of any animal not being a cow or a calf of a cow,   bull or bullock, on such religious days as may be prescribed :
Provided that a certificate in writing for the slaughter referred to   in   clause   (a)   or   (b)   has   been   obtained   from   the   competent   authority.
(4) The State Government may, at any time for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the legality or propriety of any order passed   by   a   Competent   Authority   granting   or   refusing   to   grant   any   certificate under this section, call for and examine the records of   the case and may pass such order in reference thereto as it thinks   fit. 
(5) A certificate under this section shall be granted in such form   and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 
(6) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4) any order passed by   the   Competent   Authority   granting   or   refusing   to   grant   a   certificate, and any order passed by the State Government under   subsection (4) shall be final and shall not be called in question in   any Court." 

In the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, 1954, after Section 6, the   following new sections were inserted:"

6A. (1) No person shall transport or offer for transport or cause to   be transported any animal specified in subsection (1A) of section 5   from any place within the State to any another place within the   State   for   the   purpose   of   its   slaughter   in   contravention   of   the   provisions of this Act or with the knowledge that it will be or is   likely to be so slaughtered:
Provided  that a person shall be deemed  to be transporting  such   animal   for   the   purpose   of   slaughter   unless   contrary   is   proved   thereto to the satisfaction of the concerned authority or officer by   such person or he has obtained a permit under subsection (2) for   transporting   animal   for   bona   fide   agricultural   or   animal   husbandry   purpose   from   such   authority   or   officer   as   the   State   Government may appoint in this behalf.
(2) (a) A person may make an application in the prescribed form   to the authority or officer referred to in subsection (1) for grant of   Page 8 of 14 HC-NIC Page 8 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER permit   in   writing   for   transportation   of   any   animal   specified   in   subsection (1A) of section 5 from any place  within the State  to   any another place within the State.
(b) If, on receipt of any such application for grant of permit, such   authority   is   of   the   opinion   that   grant   of   permit   shall   not   be  detrimental to the object of the Act, it may grant permit in such   form and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed and subject   to such conditions as it may think fit to impose in accordance with   such rules as may be prescribed.
(3) Whenever any person transports or causes to be transported in   contravention   of   provisions   of   subsection   (1)   any   animal   as   specified   in   subsection   (1A)   of   section   5,   such   vehicle   or   any   conveyance   used   in   transporting   such   animal   along   with   such   animal shall be liable to be seized by such authority or officer as   the State Government may appoint in this behalf. 
(4) The vehicle or conveyance so seized under subsection (3) shall   not be released by the order of the court on bond or surety before   expiry of six months from the date of such seizure or till the final   judgment or the court, whichever is earlier. 

6B.   (1)   No   person   shall   directly   or   indirectly   sell,   keep,   store,   transport, offer or expose for sell or buy beef or beef products in  any form.

(2)Whenever  any  person  transports  or  causes  to be  transported   the beef or beef products, such vehicle or any conveyance used in   transporting  such beef or beef products  along  with such beef or   beef   products   shall   be   liable   to   be   seized   by   such   authority   or   officer as the State Government may appoint in this behalf.

(3)The vehicle or conveyance so seized under subsection (2) shall   not be released by the order of the court on bond or surety before   the expiry of six months from the date of such seizure or till the   final judgment of the court, whichever is earlier.

Explanation For the purpose of this section "beef" means flesh of   any animal specified in subsection (1A) of section 5, in any form."

7. Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the provisions   of the  Amended  Act  clearly  mention  the  applicability  of  Section   6A(3)  to the class of animals as given in Section 5 (1A) of the   Principal   Act,   viz.,   cow,   the   calf   of   a   cow,   bull   and   bullock,   however, this section nowhere mentions 'buffalo calves' which have   been found in the seized vehicle. According to him, in the absence   Page 9 of 14 HC-NIC Page 9 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER of   prohibited   categories   of   animals   as   aforesaid,   invoking   of   Section 6B(3) for not releasing the vehicle of the appellant before   the expiry of six months from the date of seizure is not sustainable   in law.

8.   In   context   of   the   above,   it   is   relevant   to   note   that   on   12.10.2011,   an   amendment   was   brought   in   the   Principal   Act   which was called the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment)   Act, 2011. By virtue of this Amendment Act, a new Section 6A was   brought in the Principal Act. We have already extracted Section 6A   of the Amended Act. 

9. Subsection (3) of Section 6A of the Amended Act stipulates that   whenever any person transports in contravention of provisions of   subsection   (1),   any   animal   as   specified   in   Section   5(1A),   such   vehicle or any conveyance used in transporting such animal, shall   be   liable   to   be   seized   by   the   authority/officer   concerned.   It   is   brought to our notice that the vehicle which has been impounded   by the respondents was not carrying the category of animals which   has been laid down under Section 5(1A). The vehicle in question   was transporting the 'buffalo calves'. 

10. A perusal of the FIR shows that one Sajidkhan Pirmohemmed   Multani, driver of the vehicle and Rajubhai Kalubhai Multani had   been passing from Sector 30 of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The police   tried  to   stop   the   said   vehicle   but   when   they   did  not   stop,   they   followed and intercepted the same. On search being made inside   the vehicle, they found 28 buffalo calves. Respondent No.2 herein   arrested   both   the   persons   and   seized   Eicher   Truck   bearing   Registration No. GJ9Z3801, which is the vehicle in question. 

11. The courts below rejected the application filed by the appellant   for  release  of the vehicle  under  Section  451  of the  Code  on the  ground   that   as   per   the   provisions   of   Section   6B(3)   of   the   Amendment Act, the vehicle of the appellant shall not be released   before the expiry of six months from the date of its seizure.  On   going through the relevant provisions, we are of the view that the   Courts   below   including   the   High   Court   grossly   erred   by   overlooking the correct position of law as stated in Section 6A(3).   Subsection  (1A)   of  Section  5   stipulates  the   schedule   of  animals   which are as under:

(a) a cow;
(b) the calf of a cow, whether male or female and if male, whether castrated or not;
(c) a bull;
(d) a bullock.
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HC-NIC Page 10 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER It is clear from the above description of animals that the buffalo   calf   does   not   fall   under   the   list   of   prohibited   animals.We   have   already noted and it is not in dispute that the vehicle in question   was   carrying   28   buffalo   calves.   Thus,   Section   6B(3)   of   the   Amendment Act cannot be invoked in order to deny the claim of   release of the vehicle before the expiry of six months from the date   of its seizure. 

12.   It   is   true   that   Section   5(1)   prohibits   slaughtering   of   any   animal   without   a   certificate   in   writing   from   the   Competent   Authority   that   the   animal   is   fit   for   slaughter.   In   other   words,   without a certificate from competent authority, no animal could   be   slaughtered.Subsection   (1A)   to   Section   5   mandates   that   no   certificate under subsection (1) shall be granted in respect of the   abovementioned animals. In the said section, admittedly, 'buffalo   calf'   has   not   been   mentioned   as   prohibited   animal.   In   such   circumstance, the prohibition relating to release of vehicle before a  period   of   six   months   as   mentioned   in   Section   6B(3)   of   the   Amendment   Act   is   not   applicable   since   the   appellant   was   transporting 28 buffalo calves only.In view of the same, it is not   advisable to keep the seized vehicle in the police station in open   condition which is prone to natural decay on account of weather   conditions.  In addition  to the above  interpretation,  whatever  be  the situation, it is of no use to keep the seized vehicle in the police   station for a long period. (emphasis supplied)  The observations would be applicable to this case as well. In light   of the legal position and the facts of these cases, the request of the   petitioners ought to have been granted on appropriate conditions.   The   learned   trial   Courts   have   committed   error   in   passing   the   impugned   orders   which   are   not   sustainable   in   the   facts   of   the   case."

8. Mr. Padhya also placed reliance on a decision of the Bombay High  Court in the case of 'Khandu Vs. State of Maharashtra & Anr.' reported  in ABC 2015 (I) 240 BOM. 

9. I may quote the observations made by the learned Single Judge of  the Bombay High Court as under:­ "13.   One   of   the   reason   for   rejecting   the   Criminal   Revision   Application, as observed by the learned revisional court is that "as   Page 11 of 14 HC-NIC Page 11 of 14 Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015 R/SCR.A/5021/2015 ORDER per the investigation, it was transpired that animals were sold for   slaughter  purpose."  When  specific  query  was  put to the  learned   Additional   Public   Prosecutor   by   this   court   to   support   such   observation,   the   learned   Additional   Public   Prosecutor   fairly   submitted   that   there   is   nothing   in   the   investigating   papers   to   reach   such   conclusion.   Further   it   appears   that   the   learned   Additional   Sessions   Judge   has   dismissed   the   Criminal   Revision   Application on the precious ground that price shown in the receipt   shown by the present petitioner is very meager. It is hard to digest   such reasoning. There was no material, no data, available before   the learned Additional Sessions Judge to arrive at such conclusion.   Therefore,  such conclusion  and  findings  recorded  by the  learned   Additional Sessions Judge are without any basis and has to be set   aside. The learned Additional Sessions Judge has further adopted   very  curious  view  while  deciding  Criminal  Revisions  Application   that   the   applicant   has   not   denied   that   the   animal   were   transported for the purpose of slaughter. In absence of any positive   material   on   record,   it  was   not   open   for   the   revisional   court   to   record  such findings,  especially when in the investigating  paper,   there   is nothing  to indicate   such   things  that   the   live  stock   was   transported for the purpose of slaughter.

14.    Further  the  petitioner  even  before  the  revisional  court  and   also before this court has filed 7/12 extract which clearly shows   that he owns agricultural field admeasuring 2 Hectors from and   out of land Gat No.111 of village Chinchwar, Tal.Dhule. That fact   clearly demonstrates that present applicant is an Agriculturist.

15.   Mere transportation of live stock by an Agriculturist cannot   be   termed   that   he   was   transporting   the   same   for   slaughter   purpose. In that view of the matter, the perversity is crept in the   Judgment   delivered   by   the   learned   Additional   Sessions   Judge,   Dhule  and  it cannot  be stands  in the  scrutiny  of law.  Criminal   Revision Application needs to be allowed. Hence, following order is   passed:­ ORDER

(i) Criminal Writ Petition is allowed.

(ii) Order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class,   Dhule [Court No.VI] in Criminal Misc. Application No.1005/2014   dated 7th October, 2014 together with Judgment and Order dated   2nd  December,   2014   passed   by   the   learned   Additional   Sessions   Judge,   Dhule   passed   in   Criminal   Revision   Application   No.96   of   2014 are hereby quashed and set aside.

(iii) The application filed on behalf of the present applicant under   Section 457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of interim   custody of live stock is hereby allowed.




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                       R/SCR.A/5021/2015                                                   ORDER



(iv)   The   petitioner   shall   execute   the   Indemnity   Bond   of   Rs.40,000/­   [Rs.Forty   Thousand   only]   before   the   learned   Magistrate.

(vi)     He   shall   also   gave   an   undertaking   before   the   learned   Magistrate that he shall not subject those bullocks to cruelty and   shall not slaughter those bullocks. Further during the pendency of   the proceedings, he shall not transfer the ownership of those four   bullocks. 

(vii) Upon such execution of the Indemnity Bond and undertaking,   the  learned  Magistrate  is directed  to pass  appropriate  order  for   handing over the interim custody of live stock - four bullocks in   favour   of   present   petitioner   from   Respondent   no.2,   and   Respondent No.2 shall handover custody to the petitioner.

(viii) With this, Rule is made absolute. Writ petition is allowed."

10. In   the   result,   this   application   is   allowed.   The   impugned   orders  passed   by   the   courts   below   are   hereby   quashed   and   set   aside.   It   is  ordered   that   the   vehicle   in   question   shall   be   released   subject   to   the  following terms and conditions;

(i) The petitioner shall execute a bond within a period of  one   week   from   today   for   the   production   of   the   vehicle   so  released,   if   and   when   required   before   the   Court   having  jurisdiction to try the offence on account of such seizure; 

(ii) The petitioner shall not indulge in any such illegal activity  of transportation of the animals; 

(iii)   The   petitioner   shall   not   sell,   transfer   or   alienate   the  vehicle   in   any   manner   till   the   final   conclusion   of   the   trial  pending in the court of the Judicial Magistrate.

11. Rule is made absolute. Direct service is permitted. 



                                                                              (J.B.PARDIWALA, J.) 


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HC-NIC                                           Page 13 of 14     Created On Mon Sep 07 03:44:43 IST 2015
                  R/SCR.A/5021/2015                                            ORDER



         aruna




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