Overview
- The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notices Monday, seeking replies within four weeks from the Centre, states, Union Territories and the Animal Welfare Board of India.
- The public-interest plea by Lawyers For Human Rights International asks for uniform national rules and mandatory fencing on highways and expressways to prevent animal intrusion.
- The proposal calls for scientifically run shelters, known as gaushalas, with earmarked funding and strict penalties for illegal abandonment of cattle.
- It also seeks a no-fault compensation scheme for people hurt or killed in crashes caused by stray cattle.
- The court noted that many states levy a 10% “cow cess” yet show little action, and NHAI lawyers said the issue overlaps with a reserved ruling in the Supreme Court’s stray-dogs case that earlier ordered removal of stray animals from highways.