Courts Supreme Court
Supreme Court quashes cattle transport conviction, rejects slaughter presumption
The case concerns an appeal by Saurabh Bajaj against his conviction for transporting cattle in violation of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 2004.
The core issue was whether the mere absence of documents and the transport of cattle could be presumed to be for slaughter, thereby justifying the conviction.
Who it concerns: Appellant: Saurabh Bajaj; Respondents: State of Chhattisgarh & Ors.; Bench: Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran.
What the court decided
- Supreme Court granted special leave to appeal.
- Supreme Court set aside the revisional order, the order of conviction, and the sentence of the Trial Court and First Appellate Court.
- Supreme Court allowed the appeal and set aside the appellant's conviction.
- Supreme Court rejected any pending applications.
Also in the document
- The Court held that the mere absence of documents validating transportation cannot lead to a presumption that the transport was for slaughter.
- The Court noted that the reverse burden of proof under Section 11 of the Act applies only if the essential ingredients of the offence are first proved by the prosecution.
- The Court relied on testimony from a Veterinary Doctor and the President of the Gaushala Committee stating the cattle were fit for agricultural purposes.
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The original document
Supreme Court of India — orders & judgments
Court order · 2 Oct 2026
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