PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday refused to stay the ongoing relocation of cattle from the demolished Dhyan Foundation gaushala in Quepem, allowing the State government to continue shifting the animals to a government-authorised gaushala in Bicholim.
No interim relief granted
After hearing the matter, the Court rejected Foundation’s plea for interim relief against relocation order issued by the authorities. Instead, it directed the Foundation to submit a detailed welfare plan for the cattle by Thursday. Appearing for the State, Advocate Pravin Faldessai informed the Court that 42 cattle had already been shifted to the Bicholim facility and that the remaining animals would be relocated soon. The petitioner, however, alleged that one cow had died during the forced relocation carried out by Animal Husbandry Department and urged the Court to stop the process.
Foundation raises concerns
During the hearing, the Foundation relied on video footage allegedly showing sick and disabled cattle being dragged along the road by authorities. It argued that transporting animals unfit for travel violated the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, which require fitness certificates before animals are transported. The Foundation claimed that no such certificates had been issued in this case. The HC, however, refused to interfere with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s order permitting the relocation. Observing that the petitioner is a private charitable trust, the Bench said it should cooperate with the authorities to ensure the safe transfer of the animals rather than obstruct the process.
Dispute over demolition
The Foundation alleged that the gaushala was demolished overnight by the Shri Ramnath Damodar Devasthan, Zambaulim Temple Committee, under its current president Manjunath Dukle. It claimed that the shelter had been operating on temple land for nearly a decade with consent of previous committee and without any dispute.
It stated that the current temple committee had issued a no-objection certificate on February 20 allowing the construction of sheds at an alternative site. The Foundation claimed it had invested around Rs 1.5 crore in developing the new gaushala before the committee allegedly withdrew its support after entering into a fresh arrangement with the spiritual organisation Art of Living. The Foundation further submitted that, out of 304 cattle, 31 had already been shifted to another of its gaushalas, while 182 animals went missing during the demolition. Of these, it claimed 11 had returned to the gaushala or were traced by volunteers, while 101 cattle were being relocated by the government.
