"The State Should Adopt A Standard Operating Procedure To Not Interrupt Genuine Trade Of Cattle": Calcutta High Court

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha was hearing a writ petition wherein the petitioner had alleged that during the course of his business of transporting cattle to Meghalaya from West Bengal, various police personnels had halted his truck and also seized his cattle and arrested the persons involved in such transportation. Being a bona fide trade, the petitioner thus claimed for relief from the Court.

To this the counsel for the State submitted that the State does not in principle have any objection to such cattle trade, however in view of the prevailing incidents of cattle smuggling the State police personnels have been ordered to remain doubly vigilant.

In order to avert further instances of harassment caused to genuine traders, Justice Mantha vide order dated 18.5.21 observed thus,

"In that view of the matter, the Inspector General of Police, North Bengal being the respondent no. 3 herein in consultation with any other necessary authorities, shall prepare a Standard Operating Procedure for the purpose of strict compliance by any trader of cattle and live stock from West Bengal to other States and within the country."

The Court further directed the State to complete finalising the aforementioned S Standard Operating Procedure at the earliest, preferably within a period of three months from the date of communication of this order.

Granting relief to the petitioner, the Court directed the State to permit the petitioner to transport his cattle to the State of Meghalaya subject to compliance of all necessary formalities.

Case Title: M/s Pioneer Live Stock v. State of West Bengal and Ors.