Cruel transportation of cattle no ground to presume they were being taken for slaughter: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court ruled that cruel transportation of cattle cannot be used to presume they are being taken for slaughter. The bench, led by Justice Hasmukh D Suthar, granted regular bail to two men charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and sections of the Indian Penal Code. The accused were alleged, per the FIR, to have transported ten cows and two calves without food or water, tying them in a cruel manner. The court noted the applicants had been in custody since 12 Oct 2026 and had no prior antecedents, and that most of the investigation was completed with nothing further to recover. It said, “The animal found in inhuman condition is not a ground to presume that the said cattle were transporting for slaughter purpose,” and ordered bail with conditions. Further trial proceedings were said to take time.