The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court about the 2017 rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and said that there was a difference between seizure and confiscation of animals, while responding to a petition, PTI reported. The Centre’s response came after last week the court had asked it to amend a rule in the Act pertaining to confiscation of animals before an accused is convicted under the legislation.
A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian had made the observations during the hearing on January 4 on a plea by Buffalo Traders Welfare Association, challenging the validity of the rules that allow authorities to seize vehicles used in cattle transportation and send the animals to shelters. The petition pointed out that the transporters, farmers and cattle traders were being threatened since the rules were notified.
During the proceedings on Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the…