1 2025:CGHC:53613 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRCA No. 1676 of 2025 Taslim Raza S/o Mohammad Idris Aged About 24 Years R/o Khatkurbahal, Police Station Khatkurbahal, District - Sundargarh (Odisha) ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through S.H.O. P.S. Sarsiwan, Tahsil And District – Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) ... Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Ankit Singh, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Order On Board 03.11.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this anticipatory bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of Anticipatory Bail, apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. 220/2025, registered at Police Station – Sarsiwan, District – Sarangarh- Bilaigarh (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 4, 6 and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Agriculture Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, and Section 11D of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. 2. As per the prosecution story in brief, is that July 16, 2025, approximately 22 cattle (cows/bulls) worth approximately 200,000 were being transported in a Tata 1109 vehicle numbered OD-16G-5192 The Tata vehicle was being piloted by a Scorpic vehicle numbered VLX numbered OR-14 R-6789. The piloting Scorpio vehicle was driver. by co-accused Gaurav alias Golu Khunte, accompanied by co-accused Rahul Jangde. RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 The other Tata vehicle numbered OD-16G-5192, which was packed with 22 cattle (cows/bulls), their legs tied with ropes, was driven by the driver, Bharle, the applicant, Tasleem Raza, accompanied by a child in conflict with law. The Co-accused Gaurav alias Golu Khunte and accused Rahul Jangde, along with the child in conflict with law, were arrested from the spot, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the applicant. Hence, this application. 3. The learned counsel for the applicant has argued that the applicant is completely innocent and further submitted that the other co-accused persons have been enlarged on bail by the learned trial Court. Therefore applicant is entitle for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, learned State counsel opposed the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail and submitted that, on 16.07.2025, the applicant along with co-accused persons was found transporting 23 cattle, out of which 8 were found dead and one was injured, with their legs tied and packed in a highly cruel and inhumane manner inside a Tata 1109 vehicle, while a Scorpio vehicle was piloting the truck, indicating a coordinated criminal act. It is further contended that the cattle were allegedly being transported for slaughter in Odisha, demonstrating conscious and unlawful intent. The learned State Counsel argues that considering the seriousness of the offence, the organised nature of the illegal cattle trade, and the involvement of multiple accused persons including a child in conflict with law, custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary for proper investigation. Therefore, the present anticipatory bail application of the applicant is liable to be rejected. 3 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. In view of the incriminating facts and circumstances emerging from the case diary, it is prima facie evident that the applicant, along with co- accused persons, was involved in the illegal transportation of 23 cattle in a highly cruel and inhumane manner, with their legs tied and packed in a congested vehicle, resulting in the death of 08 cattle and injuries to another, and that the vehicle was being escorted by a piloting Scorpio, thereby indicating a planned and organized criminal activity intended for unlawful slaughter. The manner in which the offence has been committed reflects deliberate cruelty and conscious participation in an organized crime. Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the gravity of the offence, the organized nature of the crime, and the necessity of custodial interrogation for a fair and effective investigation, this Court is of the opinion that the applicant is not entitled to be granted anticipatory bail in this case. 7. Accordingly, the Anticipatory Bail application of the applicant – Taslim Raza, filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 in connection with Crime No. 220/2025, registered at Police Station – Sarsiwan, District – Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (C.G.) for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 4, 6 and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Agriculture Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, and Section 11D of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is rejected. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rajshekhar