In the Suo Moto Public Intrest Litigation v. State of Chhattisgarh

Order on Board RAHUL DEWANGAN Digitally signed by RAHUL DEWANGAN Per

Krushna Ram Mohapatra

, C.J.

15/10/2026

¶1This is an office reference.

¶2This suo-moto Public Interest Litigation petition has been initiated on the basis of a news item published in the Hindi daily newspaper Navbharat dated 23.10.2025, under the heading "

बेलतरावसुकलकारी

बनेकब्रगाहभूख-

प्याससेतडपकरमररहीगाये" and the sub-heading "

विडंबनाःगायोंकीमौतपरसवाल,

" वेटनरीविभागकीलापरवाहीकाआरोप.

¶3Regular monitoring is being carried out with regard to the protection, preservation, settlement and care of stray cattle. It is observed from the different affidavits as well as the orders passed by this Court that the State of Chhattisgarh has come up with the scheme called "Goudham Yojana". An "Ayog" has also been set up in the name of Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog.

¶4The Registrar, Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for stray animals for monitoring and coordination between the officials of all concerned departments as well as the district administration, vide order dated 07.11.2025.

¶5The affidavit dated 16.01.2026 filed by the Principal Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Department of Livestock Development, reveals the following in paragraphs 7 to 12 :

¶7That, the deponent further respectfully submits that as per the instructions department officials are regularly visiting the temporary shelters for health check-up, treatment and vaccination. Nodal officer Registrar, Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog vide its letter dated 13/01/2026, has provided information that total 46 temporary cattle shelter homes are operational and the same are managed and maintained by local community or the respective Gram panchayats with proper monitoring and supervision of the department and the district administration. In these 46 temporary cattle shelter homes, 4160 cattle have been kept. Copy of the letter dated 13/01/2026 with detailed report is being filed herewith as Annexure A/4.

¶8Furthermore, it is humbly submitted that at present there are 118 functioning Goshala wherein 37632 destitute animals are sheltered under the aegis of Chhatisgarh Rajya Gau-Sewa Ayog.

¶9That, regarding "Goudham Yojana" the deponent respectfully submits that with the object for protection and conservation of stray cattle and cattle seized under the provisions of the Parirakshan Chhattisgarh Pashu Krishik Adhiniyam, 2004, the Department of Livestock, Government of Chhattisgarh took a decision to establish Goudham's by the order dated 06/08/2025. Under the scheme Goudham (Capacity 200 cattle per Gaudham) is to be established in such government land which has safe enclosure, cattle shed, adequate water facility, electricity facility such as established Gauthan. Gaushala Committee registered with Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog, Voluntary Organization, NGO, Trust, Farmer Producer Company and Cooperative Society are eligible institutions for operating Goudham. Operating Institution is responsible for management of feeding, health care, breed improvement and human resources needed for running Goudham. Local Veterinary Officer has to visit Goudham regularly and should provide monthly information in prescribed format for release of subsidy. Copy of the order dated 06/08/2025 alongwith the Goudham Yojana is being filed herewith as Annexure A/5. It is respectfully submitted that pursuant to the said Goudham Yojana, till date administrative approval for establishment of 36 Goudhams has been issued. The Department of Livestock Development has given administrative sanction for setting up of 11 Goudhams in various districts by the order dated 17/11/2025. Out of which 03 Goudhams have been made operational and in rest 8 Goudhams basic facilities (animal shed, electricity water supply) are under renovation. These 08 Goudhams would be made operational shortly. Copy of the order dated 17/11/2025 is being filed herewith as Annexure A/6. Inspection reports of the Okhar Goudham and Lakhasar Goudham, district Bilaspur are annexed and marked as Annexure A/7.

¶11That, the deponent respectfully submits that vide order dated 29/12/2025 the administration sanction for establishment of 25 more Goudhams under the scheme has been accorded and the same would also be made operational shortly. Copy of the order dated 29/12/2025 is being filed herewith as Annexure A/8.

¶12That, regarding the monitoring framework the deponent respectfully submits that as per the "Prapatra 6" of the Chhattisgarh Go-Seva Ayog Rules, 2005 the local Veterinary Assistant Surgeon has to visit Gaushala/ Goudham and should provide monthly information in prescribed format for release of subsidy. Copy of the "Prapatra 6" is being filed herewith as Annexure A-9. Furthermore, it is humbly submitted that Registrar, Nodal Officer, Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog vide letter dated 25/11/2025 had issued prescribed format to Joint/ Deputy Director, Veterinary Services to submit monthly detailed information of Goushala, Godham and Temporary cattle shelters. Copy of the letter dated 25/11/2025 is being filed herewith as Annexure A/10.

¶6Thus, it transpires that the Government is taking adequate steps through the Chhattisgarh Rajya Gouseva Ayog for the protection, conservation, settlement and care of stray cattle in need of care. Thus, this Court feels that no further monitoring by this Court would be required at this stage. While answering the office reference accordingly, this Court makes it clear that, in the event a similar issue arises in future, the same may be taken up by this Court in appropriate proceedings.

¶7The suo-moto WPPIL is disposed of accordingly. Sd/- Sd/- (Santosh Sharma) (Krushna Ram Mohapatra) Judge Chief Justice Rahul Dewangan

CGHC010459232025 2026:CGHC:44646-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPPIL No. 95 of 2025 In The Suo Moto Public Intrest Litigation Based On News Item Published In Navbharat, Last Page, Bilaspur, Thursday Dated 23.10.2025 Vidambana Gayon Ki Maut Par Sawal, Veterinary Vibhag Par Laaparvahi Ka Aarop, Beltara Va Sukalkari Bane Kabragaha Bhukh Pyas Se Tadapkar Mar Rahi Gayen ... Petitioner versus 1 - State of Chhattisgarh Through Chief Secretary, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Services Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Directorate Of Veterinary Services Through Director, Ground Floor Block No. 3 Indravati Bhawan Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 4 - Director Chhattisgarh Rajya Pashu Chikitsa Parishad, Raipur. 5 - Collector Bilaspur District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondents For Petitioner : Office Reference For Respondent/State : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Addl. Advocate General Hon'ble Shri Krushna Ram Mohapatra , Chief Justice and Hon'ble Shri Santosh Sharma , Judge