(1) Questioning the legality, validity and correctness of the impugned judgment affirming the judgment of conviction and partly modifying order of sentence passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate convicting the applicants for offence under Section 6 of the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1959 (henceforth 'the Act, 1959') and punishable under Section 11 of the Act, 1959 and sentencing them to undergo simple imprisonment for 1 year and to pay fine of Rs.1,000. (Sentence was partly modified and reduced by the appellate Court to 6 months' simple imprisonment and to pay fine of Rs.500 only).

(2) The prosecution case as unfolded during trial is as under:

(2.1) Complainant Narad (PW-1) made a report in Police Station Dongargarh on 21-5-2003 that the applicants were transporting agricultural cattle namely, buffaloes 4 in number and bullocks 12 in number for the purpose of their slaughtering. On the basis of the aforesaid complaint, offence under the Act, 1959 was registered and cattle were recovered from the applicants and the cattle so seized were sent for medical examination to the Veterinary Surgeon who submitted his report vide Ex.P-7. It is alleged t