The Gujarat High Court in the case Mustak Hussain Mehndi Hussain Kadri Versus Jagadip Narayan Singh, IAS observed and has issued a stern warning to local authorities wherein it expressed deep concern over the rampant cattle menace in the State. The Division bench comprising of Justice Ashutosh Shastri and Justice Hemant M. Prachchhak in the case observed and has indicated the intention of them to frame charges for contempt of court against the officers responsible for managing the cattle menace, while describing the situation as ‘a sorry state of affairs.
The bench headed by Justice Shastri, while highlighting the alarming ground reality cited the newspaper report and the detailed investigation was conducted by the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority, GSLSA.
The court remarked that this court be constrained to take appropriate measures against the officers who are in charge of the department. Thus, this court is making it very clear.
The bench headed by Justice Shastri in the case observed and has described the ground situation as ‘quite alarming while pointing to the GSLSA’s comprehensive report, which covered aspects like cattle menace control, parking and traffic management, and road conditions across all districts of the state. The said report was compiled following directions by the High Court to the GSLSA in an order dated October 13.
Manisha Lavkumar Shah, the government pleader representing the State requested the additional time to review the GSLSA report and for formulating an appropriate response.
It has also been noted by her that it was only recently that the State designated office She noted that it was only recently that the State designated officers responsible for managing the cattle menace, and it would take some time for their actions to manifest on the ground.
The bench of Justice Shastri in the case observed and has declined the request made by her wherein it expressed the disappointment at the lack of tangible progress.
The court in its order stated that when the matter is taken up for hearing, pursuant to previous order, Member Secretary, Gujarat State Legal Services Authority has prepared and placed on record a detailed report indicating the situation with regard to cattle menace, traffic, etc. Thus, the perusal of the report indicated that ground reality is quite different from what has been stated in the affidavits about the steps to control the situation. The counsel, Mr Amit M Panchal (528) appeared for the applicant. The counsel, Mr Kamal Trivedi Ld. Advocate General Ms Manisha Lavkumar Shah Government Pleader represented the Opponent(S) No.