Over 2,800 goats seized in Pratapgarh under Cruelty Act

JAIPUR: Around 2,884 goats and sheep being transported in 13 trucks were confiscated by the Pratapgarh police under the Preventing of Cruelty Act on January 13.
This is for the first time goats and sheep have been confiscated by the police in thousands. The move is done following a tip off that the traders were transporting cows from the Marwar region to Hyderabad.
The traders moved to the local court in Pratapgarh on Monday seeking relief in the case and release of goats/sheep and trucks on Monday.The court refused to grant relief to the traders and directed them to pay Rs 50 per animal for a month in the court for feeding them till the judgement is pronounced by the court.
Kamal Gujjar, defence counsel argued that prima facie case is registered against the helpers who have accompanied with the truck and not the owners. “My prayer that goats to be handed over to the owners was rejected by the court,” said Gujjar. The court says that goats to be kept in three cow shelters until the matter is resolved.
The court has ruled that matter is being investigated and prima facie the accused has violated the act. Police have stated that traders were carrying more than the required number of goats in the trucks. The FIR reads that all the trucks have partitioned the storage space to carry out goats double the capacity.
TOI repeatedly called up and texted Narendra Singh Bhati, SHO Pratapgarh for his comments on the incident but received no response. The helpers and traders camping in Pratapgarh have accused that police are acting under the pressure groups who are attempting to extort money from them.
Aladdin Qureshi, a trader says that goats have been given water and fodder at regular intervals while denying a charge slapped by the police.
“Every goat cost Rs 10,000 to us. We are fools who would allow our goats to die,” said Qureshi, who accused the cow shelters that they are not taking care of goats and every day goats are dying leaving them under heavy losses.