Supreme Court asks states to stop cattle straying on roads, compensate victims of accidents

The Supreme Court has mandated states and Union territories to enact laws preventing stray cattle from obstructing roads and to establish compensation schemes for victims of bovine-related accidents. The directive comes amid frequent reports of incidents involving stray animals causing harm to pedestrians and motorists.

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It is commonplace to see reports in newspapers regarding bovine-related incidents and accidents…accidents with a direct and proximate bovine cause are not few and far between.

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N Kotiswar Singh noted the common occurrence of "bovine-related incidents and accidents." The court was addressing a specific 2007 case from Sangrur, Punjab, where a stray bull attacked a man, leading to fatal head injuries. In this instance, the court directed the state to award a lump sum compensation of ₹15 lakh to the deceased's widow, clarifying that this specific order should not set a legal precedent.

Justice Karol, authoring the judgment, highlighted the societal paradox of neglecting cattle welfare while being concerned about their use for sustenance. The court suggested that competent authorities should amend laws or promulgate rules to create a mechanism for compensating victims in accidents caused by cattle, whether they are pedestrians or involved in vehicular collisions.

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While this case presents a particular instance before us, we are of the view that the larger issue of these incidents must also be addressed.

The court observed that preventing cattle from roaming on roads is achievable if states enforce regulations holding owners accountable for allowing their animals to graze openly. While acknowledging that 24 states have enacted laws for bovine protection, the court urged all such states to ensure the complete and prompt implementation of these laws. The case involved a victim who had initially sought compensation from the Municipal Council, Sangrur, which claimed no funds were available, and later faced procedural hurdles in the high court.

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We live in a deeply flawed, human world. Perhaps it is a feature of this flawed world that, on the one end, we let them (cattle) roam about without caring for their safety, and, on the other, find it deeply offensive if an individual uses them to secure a full stomach for himself or his family.