The High Court has disposed of a criminal writ petition filed by the animal welfare trust Dhyan Foundation challenging an urgent eviction and relocation order passed by the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Quepem.

​The court granted the Dhyan Foundation liberty to inspect the relocated cattle and submit a fresh representation to the authorities seeking their return once adequate shelter facilities are established.


​According to High Court filings, Dhyan Foundation operated a goshala on Survey No. 102/I in Deusa village after obtaining a formal no-objection certificate from the attorney for the Shree Ramnath Damodar Sansthan Committee, Zambaulim.

​The situation escalated on July 22, 2026, when a mob of approximately 150 people allegedly trespassed onto the property and dismantled the cattle shed. Following the incident, the local Mamlatdar submitted a report to the SDM characterizing the dismantled shed as illegal.

​On July 24, 2026, the Quepem SDM issued an ex-parte emergency order citing imminent threats to public safety, public health, and animal welfare, the SDM directed the Foundation to shift all cattle within a 12-hour window, or face relocation by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services at the trust's risk.


​Aggrieved by the 12-hour directive, which the trust termed high-handed and impossible to execute, Dhyan Foundation moved the High Court seeking the appointment of a neutral court commissioner or monitoring committee.

​During initial hearings on July 29 and 30, the High Court directed state authorities to coordinate with the Foundation and oversee the safe transit of the animals. In compliance with court directions, the Deputy Collector submitted a compliance report on August 3, confirming that 108 cattle were safely relocated to authorized facilities under the direct supervision of veterinary officers and staff.

​Pronouncing the final order, the High Court observed that because the cattle had already been safely relocated under judicial supervision, the primary challenge to the SDM’s emergency order no longer survived. However, the court issued key directions to safeguard the trust’s rights and animal welfare. The High Court has directed that the petitioner Dhyan Foundation must be permitted full physical inspection of the relocated cattle at their current shelter locations and upon reviewing the report and completing inspections, the Foundation is at liberty to submit a formal representation to the SDM for the return and housing of the cattle.

The SDM has been instructed to decide on any such representation within four weeks of receipt and State authorities must ensure all 108 cattle remain safely housed and maintained at the designated facilities until a final decision is reached.