The Supreme Court on Monday (April 6, 2026) sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea seeking direction to the authorities to ensure that stray cattle is kept away from national and State highways across the country.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Centre and others, including the States, Union Territories and Animal Welfare Board of India, seeking their responses on the plea within four weeks.
The bench observed that several States were charging 10% cow cess but were doing nothing.
Explained | Gujarat’s cattle control Bill and India’s stray cattle issue
The counsel appearing for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) told the bench that the apex court has already reserved its order in the stray dogs case, which also covers the issue of stray animals entering highways.
