Determining Maintenance Charges for Seized Cattle Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

sketch of the Bombay High Court
Case
SHRI SIDDESHWAR SHIVMANDIR ,TRUST, SARUL BAGWADI, v. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA, THR, PSO, PS, BABHULGAON, TQ. BABHULGAON DIST. YAVATMAL (Bombay High Court, 13-10-2026)
Law
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Examination of Section 35(4) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 regarding owner liability for upkeep costs.
  • Interpretation of magistrate discretion in granting partial or full relief from maintenance charges based on statutory provisions.
  • Application of the legal maxim that the greater power to grant total exemption includes the lesser power to grant partial relief.
  • Review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017.
  • Precedent analysis on reasonable ascertainment of daily maintenance costs for seized cattle in gaushalas.