An association of cattle traders and transporters has approached the Supreme Court against rules notified in 2017, which is being used as a tool to seize and forfeit their cattle. The traders told the court on Tuesday that the seizure and forfeiture of their livestock, a means of livelihood for many families, was happening on the strength of the 2017 rules against animal cruelty and cattle slaughter. The rules' existence had emboldened “anti-social elements” to take matters into their own hands and loot cattle traders. The law under question is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017 notified on May 23, 2017. The 2017 rules allow a magistrate to forfeit the cattle of an owner facing trial under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Source: The Hindu July 03, 2019 11:27 UTC