No permit required to transport cattle within UP, rules Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court ruled that no permit is required for cattle transportation within the state of Uttar Pradesh under the existing cow slaughter prevention laws. Justice Pankaj Bhatia issued this order while hearing a petition challenging a vehicle seizure in Varanasi. The court held that Section 5A of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, only regulates the movement of cows, bulls, or bullocks when they are being taken out of the state. Justice Bhatia stated that “no permit is required for transportation of the cow and its progeny within the State of Uttar Pradesh” under any current provision. The court found that state authorities lacked the legal grounds to confiscate vehicles for moving animals between districts without a permit. This clarification is important for animal owners and transporters as it prevents the misapplication of the cow slaughter law. Following this decision, the court set aside the previous confiscation order and directed the authorities to release the vehicle to its owner.