PHILINA D. SANGMA Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petitioner is before this Court with a complaint that on 18- 05-2025, 30(thirty) number of cattle of the petitioner, while grazing in the fields of Thliew Umtham Village, BSF personnel seized the said cattle and took them away without providing any seizure list or any other documents to the persons who were looking after them. As such, a prayer has been made for directions for the cattle to be returned or in the alternative, for payment of compensation to the tune of 20 lakhs.

(2.) Mr. S.Chakrawarty, learned Sr. counsel assisted by Mr. E.Laloo, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the fact that the cattle belong to the petitioner has been confirmed by the headman of Thliew Umtham Village, and has referred to the certificate which states that the cows had been sent by the petitioner to the said village for grazing. He further submits that though the petitioner had approached the Shella Police Station, she was informed that the cattle had been handed over to some society and assuming that the cattle were in the custody of some society of the Veterinary Department, which however on inquiry, was informed that the said Department was not aware of any such incident.

(3.) This Court on the filing of the writ petition on 17/6/2025, had by order dtd. 19/6/2025, immediately called for instructions from the State respondents which was provided by way of a status report enclosing instructions dtd. 19/6/2025 from the Superintendent of Police. The same for the sake of convenience is reproduced hereinbelow: