The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to a man whose vehicle was arbitrarily seized over an unproven beef transport claim. The court also granted liberty to the state to recover the amount from the officers responsible for the illegal confiscation.
Background of the Case
The vehicle was confiscated in October 2024 on allegations that it was used to transport beef. Authorities in Baghpat had acted under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. The petitioner, Mohd Chand, a resident of Baghpat, challenged the seizure through a writ petition.
Court's Observations
Justice Sandeep Jain, who heard the petition, quashed the seizure orders. The court observed that due to such illegal and arbitrary action by state authorities, the petitioner suffered serious economic loss. The vehicle in question was a transport vehicle and a source of livelihood for him.
The court noted that a vehicle can be confiscated under the cow protection law only when it is found to have been transporting beef. It added that a report from an authorized laboratory is mandatory for initiating proceedings under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.
Lack of Evidence
The high court found that the veterinary doctor who examined the meat was not confident whether it was beef and had recommended a confirmatory diagnosis of the samples. Since no report from an authorized laboratory was made available, the court ruled that the state failed to prove that the seized meat was beef. Therefore, the vehicle could not have been confiscated.
“The authorities, without examining this issue, confiscated the vehicle of the petitioner, which is arbitrary, illegal and unwarranted under the provisions of the Act of 1955,” the court said in its decision passed on April 27.
Compensation and Release Order
The court ordered the release of the vehicle within three days. Additionally, it directed the state government to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation for the illegal seizure, with the option to recover this amount from the officers responsible for the wrongful confiscation.
