Telangana HC Protects Animal Feed Suppliers During Religious Cow Vigilante Raids: Rule of Law Over Mob Justice
- ByAdmin --
- 21 Apr 2025 --
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In a significant ruling aimed at curbing mob vigilantism in the name of religious sentiment, the Telangana High Court has declared that transporters and suppliers of cattle feed and animal products cannot be harassed, detained, or attacked by cow vigilante groups, so long as they comply with lawful trade regulations.
The Court made it clear that mere suspicion of cow slaughter or smuggling is not a license for violence or public obstruction, and that police must act against mobs—not enable them.
The Case: Trader Beaten, Goods Destroyed, Police Passive
The petitioner, a licensed animal feed supplier from Hyderabad, was transporting protein-based cattle feed pellets to a dairy farm in Nizamabad. Midway, his truck was:
- Stopped by self-styled cow protection group members
- Searched without warrant
- The feed was wrongly alleged to contain “bovine matter”
- He was beaten, and the truck was damaged, while police allegedly stood by silently
Fearing for his business and life, he filed a petition seeking:
- Protection from vigilante harassment
- Compensation for loss
- Action against officers who refused to intervene
The Court’s Observations: Law Must Be Above Sentiment
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan made strong remarks against the increasing pattern of mob policing:
1. Religious Sentiment Cannot Override Rule of Law
- While upholding the constitutional protection of religious beliefs under Article 25, the Court emphasized that public order and trade freedom under Article 19 cannot be suppressed by extra-legal force.
2. Trade in Animal Products is Legal and Regulated
- If a transporter has valid licenses and documents, no private party or vigilante can act as enforcers.
- Suspicion does not justify violence, defamation, or property destruction.
3. Police Duty is to the Law, Not the Mob
- The Court issued a show-cause notice to the local SHO for inaction, and directed the Telangana DGP to issue a circular warning police against passive complicity in such incidents.
Court Directions Issued
- Strict police instructions to escort vulnerable animal-related transport in high-risk areas
- Departmental action against officers who fail to intervene in unlawful public interference
- Compensation and criminal prosecution in cases where legal trade is obstructed
Implications: A Blow to Rising Cow Vigilantism
This ruling will help:
- Protect dairy industry professionals, meat exporters, and feed traders
- Re-establish trust in police neutrality
- Discourage extra-constitutional actors from resorting to mob justice
Trade Needs Protection—Not Permission from the Mob
The Telangana High Court’s ruling makes one thing clear: India is governed by laws—not loud groups with sticks and slogans.
Religious sensitivity has its place, but not at the cost of livelihoods, safety, or constitutional freedom. And in that balance, courts remain the final guardians of sanity and justice
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