Mangalore: In a significant ruling that raises questions about the limits of police authority in cattle-related cases, Puttur Assistant Commissioner (AC) Stella Varghese has ordered the release of a house belonging to Zohra, a resident of Pattur in Patrame village, which had been seized by Dharmasthala Police over allegations of cattle sale.
According to reports, the police had confiscated Zohra’s property claiming that the cattle she sold were later transported for slaughter. However, the woman maintained that she had merely sold the cattle through legitimate means and had no role in any subsequent illegal activity.
Challenging what he described as a “gross misuse of power,” Advocate B.M. Bhat, who also serves as the Belthangady Taluk Secretary of the CPM, filed a petition before the Puttur AC Court questioning the legal basis of the police action.
After reviewing the petition and examining case documents, AC Stella Varghese observed that the seizure of the house did not stand on solid legal grounds. The court ruled that selling cattle, by itself, cannot be construed as a criminal act unless there is clear evidence linking the seller to illegal transportation or slaughter activities. Consequently, the Assistant Commissioner ordered the immediate release of the property to its rightful owner.
This decision is being viewed as an important reminder to law enforcement agencies to act strictly within the framework of law and not beyond their jurisdiction in cases related to cattle trade or transport.
Advocate B.M. Bhat welcomed the order, stating that it upholds the fundamental rights of citizens against arbitrary police actions. “The seizure was a clear overreach of authority. The Assistant Commissioner’s decision reinforces that due process must be followed before such drastic steps are taken,” he said.
In recent years, several similar cases have surfaced across Dakshina Kannada district, where individuals accused of selling or transporting cattle have faced property seizures and detentions under preventive measures. Legal experts believe that this order could set a precedent for future cases, ensuring accountability and fairness in the handling of cattle trade investigations.