Cattle transportation accused granted bail considering prolonged detention, completed investigation, and explained criminal antecedents.

The applicant was arrested on June 23, 2025, in connection with Crime No. 24/2025

On March 3, 2025, police intercepted a truck (MH-30-BD-2049) allegedly transporting 28 cattle in a cruel manner to a slaughterhouse

The applicant, serving as the driver, was charged under several sections of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act

The applicant filed this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, contending he was falsely implicated, held four explained criminal antecedents, and that the trial would be prolonged as the charge-sheet had already been filed

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail considering his role as a driver, his period of detention, and the completion of the investigation

Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, regarding the grant of regular bail

Sections 4, 6, 7, 10, and 11 of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 2004, and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

Procedural requirements under Sections 84, 209, 269, and 351 of the BNSS to ensure the presence of the accused during trial and prevent the abuse of the liberty of bail

The Court balanced the gravity of the allegations—illegal transportation of cattle for slaughter—against the procedural status of the case.

It noted that the applicant had been in judicial custody since June 23, 2025, and that the investigation was now complete with the filing of the charge-sheet

While the State opposed bail citing the applicant’s criminal history, the Court observed that the applicant had provided explanations for his antecedents and that several of those cases had already been disposed of

Given that the trial was unlikely to conclude in the near future and further detention was not justified, the Court determined that bail could be granted subject to stringent conditions to ensure his cooperation with the judicial process

The holding was conditioned upon the applicant's undertaking not to seek unnecessary adjournments, his mandatory presence at crucial trial stages (framing of charges, recording of statements under Section 351 BNSS), and the warning that failure to appear would result in proceedings under Sections 209 and 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita