Agartala, March 23, 2026: The Tripura High Court has sharply reprimanded the state government for denying permission for the transportation of cattle, directing authorities to immediately issue transit permits and extend full assistance for shifting the animals to Jharkhand.

The directive came during the hearing of a petition filed by Dhyan Foundation before a single-judge bench of Justice T Amarnath Goud. The Court made it clear that the State has no statutory authority to obstruct the lawful inter-state transportation of animals.

During the proceedings, Justice Goud dismissed the State’s arguments and raised critical concerns over its handling of the issue. He noted that the government had earlier declined to provide fodder, citing high local costs—around ₹24.70 per kilogram compared to ₹1 in other states—while simultaneously blocking relocation of the cattle.

The Court questioned whether the government intends to arrange sufficient land and subsidized fodder for the growing number of animals. When no satisfactory response was forthcoming, the bench further asked whether the State would bear the financial burden of maintaining thousands of cattle if the petitioner withdrew. The government’s tentative reply—“It probably would”—prompted the Court’s astonishment.

The bench also rejected the State’s claim that the cattle could be distributed among private individuals, pointing out that no such provision exists under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017. It further expressed concern that, given the high incidence of cattle smuggling to Bangladesh, such a move could jeopardize the animals’ safety.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Harish Pandya argued that the State had not raised several of its current claims in earlier filings, prompting the Court to question the “piecemeal” nature of its submissions.

The Dhyan Foundation is currently caring for around 2,100 cattle rescued by the BSF in Tripura, while its gaushala in Chakulia, Jharkhand, houses nearly 22,000 animals. The organization argued that relocation is essential due to better infrastructure, lower feed costs, and improved security in Jharkhand.

Agreeing with these submissions, the Court observed that forcibly detaining the animals in their current conditions amounts to cruelty. It ruled that any indefinite delay in their transportation also constitutes cruelty, and directed authorities to ensure their unhindered transit at the earliest.