[Stray Cattle Menace] They Blocked My Way While Entering HC; Need To Involve LSA: Gujarat HC Chief Justice Aravind Kumar

"The car of the Chief Justice, when it was entering the High Court (premises), there were about 10-12 cattle which had blocked the road. Even police whistling could not move them, they stood like a rock," remarked the Gujarat High Court Chief Justice, Aravind Kumar while inquiring the state as to what it has done for cattle nuisance menace.

The Chief Justice remarked thus while hearing a contempt plea filed in connection with an earlier order of the Gujarat High Court wherein several directions were issued by the Court in the year 2017 to the Gujarat Government regarding controlling cattle nuisance and the maintenance of the quality of roads.

During the hearing, when the Court asked the government pleader Manisha Lavkumar regarding the compliance of the Court's order, she submitted that actions are being taken under the Cattle Trespass Act, and the Bombay Police Act and the State has dedicated cattle free zones in heavy vehicular traffic areas and the same is a 'novel measure'

Interjecting, the Chief Justice said thus:

"For your information, the car of the Chief Justice was entering the High Court, there were about 10-12 cattle which had blocked the road. Even the police whistling also, they (the cattle) did not move. It stood like a rock..." 

To this, Govt Pleader Luvkumar said, "So far as legislation is concerned..."

"Legislation is good madame, but enforcement agencies are not discharging their duty, in such circumstances, we would have to rope in Legal Service Authorities (LSA) also. We will involve LSA and we will ask them to file a report, and they would be entitled to get all the feedback from any NGOs and individuals...They will open a toll-free number, plaza, where anyone can say this is what is happening with a photograph and then on a case-to-case basis, you can consider them," the Court said.

Further, the Court inquired about the dog menace and told the Government pleader that he was advised by many that he should not go for a walk on roads. 

"I do have dogs...I love dogs...But, our enjoyment should not become a nuisance to others, it should not be harmful to anybody," the Court added as it posted the matter for further hearing on January 19.