Ahmedabad sessions court has sentenced a cattle owner to three years in jail for allowing his animals to roam freely on public streets.
In June 2019, a cattle impounding party seized two cows and three calves on Sariyam Road within the Sabarmati police station’s jurisdiction. The owner, Hargovind Desai, faced charges under Sections 308 and 289 of the Indian Penal Code, as well as various sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, for leaving his animals unattended on a public street. After the trial, Additional Sessions Judge Saranga Vyas found Desai guilty of allowing his cattle to stray on public streets, endangering the lives of commuters.
When Desai sought leniency, the judge emphasized that accidents caused by stray cattle are a frequent occurrence, leading to the loss of lives and inconvenience for the public. The maximum punishment needed to be awarded to set an example in society.