JUDGMENT

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises from a judgment and order dated 17 October 2019 of a Single Judge of the Aurangabad Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay.

3. On 17 March 2019, a truck was intercepted and was found to be transporting eighteen heads of cattle - fifteen bullocks and three buffaloes. The eighth respondent was driving the truck and was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation about the relevant permits. The truck was taken to the police station and the cattle were seized. FIR No. 59 of 2019 was registered at Parbhani Rural Police Station on 17 March 2019 for offences punishable under Section 5A of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act 1995¹[Amendment Act 1995 (brought into force on 4 March 2015)] and Section 6 of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act 1976²["Maharashtra Act"], Section 11(1)(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act I960³["PCA Act"], Section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and other allied provisions.

4. The second to eighth respondents claim to be owners of the seized cattle. The appellant is a gaushala engaged in the welfare, preservation, and protection of animals in Parbhani, Maharashtra. An applicati