The state Gujarat on Tuesday stressed that it has “tried to plug all loopholes” when asking the Gujarat High Court to delay the hearing on the stray cattle menace. Chief Justice Aravind Kumar disagreed with this claim and urged the state to “do something” to stop the problem.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Kumar and Justice A J Shastri was hearing the case. Advocate General Kamal Trivedi, speaking on behalf of the state, stated: “We have tried to plug all the loopholes.” Advocate and party-in-person petitioner Amit Panchal had brought the contempt petition, pointing out non-implementation of an earlier order by the Gujarat High Court pertaining to controlling the cattle menace.
Chief Justice Kumar, however, remarked, “Yesterday in Rajkot, one defence personnel was attacked and he is in serious condition, that’s what I saw on TV… This cattle menace has gone out of proportion, do something.” The matter has now been listed for further hearing on January 9.
In october, the state government’s efforts to combat the stray cattle problem have largely been on paper which stated that no concrete steps have been taken, said High Court.