G.B. Pattanaik, J. - (1.)Leave granted.
(2.)The State of Uttar Pradesh is in appeal against the direction of the Court directing release of the animals in favour of the owner. It is alleged that while those animals were transported for the purpose being slaughtered, an FIR was registered for alleged violation of the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the specific allegation in the FIR was that the animals were transported for being slaughtered, and the animals were tied very tightly to each other. The criminal case is still pending. On an appeal for getting the custody of the animals was filed the impugned order has been passed. We are shocked as to how such an order could be passed by the learned Judge of the High Court in view of the very allegations and in view of the charges, which the accused may face in the criminal trial. We, therefore, set aside the impugned order and direct that these animals be kept in the Goshala and the State Government undertakes to take the entire responsibility of the preservation of those animals so long as the matter is under trial.
(3.)The appeals stand disposed of accordingly.
Appeals Disposed of.