The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of reports concerning the death of nearly fifty cattle found at a shelter in Raipur Kalan, Chandigarh. The action by the court followed widespread media coverage alleging cruelty, neglect, and questionable disposal of cattle carcasses. The bench, consisting of the Chief Justice and another judge, directed the Union Territory administration of Chandigarh to file a response to the issues highlighted in the reports.
The matter came to light after several news outlets published accounts of around fifty to sixty cattle discovered dead under unexplained circumstances at a gaushala, a cattle shelter reportedly under the control of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh. Some of the carcasses were alleged to be mutilated, with eyes, hooves, and horns missing, which raised suspicions of foul play and possible illegal trafficking. The court’s suo motu action indicates that it is treating the matter as one of significant concern warranting judicial oversight without a formal petition being filed by private parties.
In the initial observations recorded in court, a judge referenced the available media reports in which post-mortem examinations of nine of the carcasses had revealed polythene bags and plastic waste in the stomachs of at least seven animals, with this consumption of plastic preliminarily identified as a cause of death. These findings brought into focus broader concerns about failure to enforce existing bans on polythene use in the city, given that regulatory authorities appeared to have overlooked violations that allowed polythene consumption by stray livestock.
The court noted that the carcass disposal plant at Raipur Kalan, which was set up at a reported cost and inaugurated in the preceding year, had allegedly remained non-functional for some time despite being under a maintenance contract. This malfunction reportedly led to a dangerous build-up of carcasses at the facility. The gaushala’s conditions were described in media accounts as poor, with inadequate fodder, lack of drinking water, absence of veterinary care, and insufficient shelter for the cattle prior to their deaths. On inspection conducted in mid-January, some cattle were said to have been found suffering from cold, hunger, and illness with no professional veterinary support available.
A police complaint was also reportedly filed by the Gaushala Management Committee at the Mauli Jagran Police Station, alleging that the deaths were due to neglect and improper care. The complaint was made under relevant sections of the penal code and laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals against unidentified persons, indicating that authorities were treating the incident as involving potential legal violations. Following the filing of this complaint, administrative actions were taken by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, including the suspension of certain officials like a medical officer of health and a cattle pound inspector, as well as the termination of contractual staff who had responsibilities related to animal care and facility upkeep. A magisterial inquiry was also ordered by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh to look into the circumstances of the deaths.
As part of its suo motu proceedings, the High Court directed its registry to register the matter as a public interest litigation and to assign it an appropriate case number, with instructions to list the case before a suitable bench after placing the court’s order and copies of the relevant media reports before the Chief Justice. The notices issued by the High Court were directed to multiple stakeholders, including the Union of India through secretaries of relevant ministries, the Union Territory of Chandigarh through its Deputy Commissioner, and the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh through its Commissioner.
The court’s steps reflect judicial concern over alleged administrative neglect, animal welfare violations, and broader regulatory failures in enforcing public policy relating to stray cattle and environmental safeguards. The matter was adjourned for further hearing on a specified date in March, giving the authorities an opportunity to respond to the court’s notices and provide clarifications or take corrective measures in respect of the reported fatalities and associated concerns.
By initiating suo motu proceedings, the High Court has positioned itself to examine not only the specific circumstances of the cattle deaths but also the systemic issues underlying animal welfare, enforcement of statutory bans on polythene and other harmful materials, the upkeep of municipal facilities responsible for cattle care, and the administrative accountability of local authorities tasked with these functions.
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