In a significant development in the dispute over the relo cation of cattle following the alleged demolition of a gaushala at Deusa village in Quepem, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Dhyan Foundation to extend full cooperation to the State authorities in shifting the animals to a government-au thorised goshala in Bicholim, while permitting it to place an alternative rehabilitation plan before the court. Hearing a criminal writ petition filed by the Dhyan Foundation, Justice Amit S Jamsandekar also granted the petitioner time until Thursday to submit a pro posal outlining an alterna tive arrangement for the welfare of the cattle. The Foundation has challenged the July 24 or der of the Deputy Collec tor and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Quepem, direct ing the removal of cattle from the gaushala at Survey No 102/1 in Deusa village. It has sought interim relief to restrain the State authorities from enforcing the order or taking coercive action, in cluding the forcible reloca tion of the animals, until the matter is finally decided.
During the hearing, senior advocate Vinay Narvekar, appearing for the petitioner, alleged that the government machinery was subjecting the cattle to cruelty during the relocation process. The petitioner further informed the court that one ani mal had died during what it described as the forceful relo cation carried out by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Opposing the plea, Additional Public Prosecutor Pravin Faldessai submitted that the relocation had become neces sary because the existing site lacked a proper shed, making it imperative to move the cattle to a government-recognised facility where their welfare could be ensured. The State, however, indicated that if the petitioner had a better proposal for safeguarding the animals, it was free to place it before the court. Accepting the suggestion, Justice Jamsandekar directed the Dhyan Foundation to submit its alternate plan by July 30.
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Pending consideration of the proposal, the court ordered the petitioner to make all possible arrangements and extend every assistance to the State authorities in facilitating the re location of the cattle to the government-authorised goshala at Bicholim. The High Court also directed the petitioner to serve notice on the Shree Ramnath Damodar Saunsthan Committee and posted the matter for further hearing at 4.30 pm on Thurs day. The court clarified that any modification to its direc tions would be considered only after the petitioner places a concrete rehabilitation plan on record. Apart from seeking a stay on the relocation, the Dhyan Foundation has also urged the High Court to appoint a neu tral Court Commissioner or a monitoring committee compris ing a retired judicial officer or an officer from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services to inspect the gaushala within 48 hours and submit a report on the condi tion of the cattle.
It has further sought court supervision of ear-tagging, microchipping, health audits and the physical inventory of the animals, while ensuring their continued wel fare, shelter and care during the pendency of the proceedings. Meanwhile, the Quepem Police on Wednesday intensi fied their investigation into the demolition of eight cattle sheds at the Dhyan Foundation gaushala in Zambaulim by summoning temple committee president Manjunath Dukle along with Datta and Rammna for a fresh round of question ing on Thursday. Police have issued notices to the three under Section 35A of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as part of the ongoing investigation into the July 24 demolition of the sheds, where around 300 rescued cattle had been housed.
Quepem Police Inspector Prashal Dessai, who is super vising the probe, said the investigation is progressing and remains at a preliminary stage. Investigators have also recorded the statement of a bounc er in connection with the case and are examining CCTV foot age from the area. Police are collecting supporting material. No arrests have been made so far. Police have, however, stepped up night patrolling in the area to maintain law and order following the incident. In the interim, two cattle died on Wednesday and post-mortem examinations were conducted to determine the cause of death. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Dhyan Foundation coordinator Archana Chaubey, alleging the illegal demolition of eight cattle sheds at the gaushala. According to the Dhyan Foundation, the temple’s current president had issued it a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on February 20 to construct cattle sheds on the new site.
