In Brief
A truck owner was acquitted of charges under the Cow Slaughter Act after the trial court found no evidence he intended to slaughter the cattle. However, the District Magistrate separately ordered confiscation of his truck under the same Act. The Supreme Court held that when a person is acquitted in criminal prosecution, the acquittal judgment must be considered in parallel confiscation proceedings. Confiscating property solely on account of criminal charges that result in acquittal constitutes arbitrary deprivation violating constitutional protections. The Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the confiscation order and holding that the High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the petition.
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