JODHPUR, March 26 -- The Rajasthan High Court has sought an explanation from the State authorities over the large number of cattle (gau vansh) moving out of the state through animal fairs and asked officials to assist the court in understanding the situation. A division bench of justices Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Sandeep Shah was hearing petitions filed by Babu Lal Mali and Gau Raksha Dal Seva Samiti. During the hearing, the court was shown a chart issued by the office of the joint director, Animal Husbandry Department, Nagaur, relating to the Ramdev Animal Fair at Nagaur and the Baldev Animal Fair at Merta City for the years 2023 and 2024. According to the chart, at the Ramdev Animal Fair in Nagaur, a total of 4,110 cattle arrived in 2024. Of these, only 17 were sold within Rajasthan, while 1,744 were sold outside the State. In 2023, 2,688 cattle had arrived at the fair, out of which only six were sold within the State, whereas 1,141 were sold outside Rajasthan. Similarly, the data relating to the Baldev Animal Fair at Merta City shows that in 2024, 3,156 cattle arrived at the fair. However, only one animal was sold within Rajasthan, while 2,130 were sold outside the State. In 2023, 2,964 cattle were brought to the fair, none sold within the State, and 1,948 were sold outside Rajasthan. The bench, in its order on Tuesday, which was made public on Wednesday, said: "The chart reflects a glaring picture, particularly regarding the cattle (gau vansh). The chart also shows that the contention of the petitioner carries some weight and needs to be examined with the help of experts. Among the thousands of cattle, only one animal is sold in some places in the State of Rajasthan, while the rest of the thousands have gone outside. This situation requires examination." The bench directed additional advocate general SS Ladrecha to ensure that the expert authority responsible for conducting the animal fairs appears before the court on the next date of hearing to explain the complexities involved in the matter. The bench also asked the State Government to submit similar data regarding cattle fairs held in Rajasthan during 2023-24 and 2025 in the same format as the chart produced before the court. In addition, the court has sought information on the compliance of directions issued earlier by the High Court on May 4, 2015 in a public interest litigation filed by Gau Raksha Dal Seva Samiti. The court has specifically asked the authorities to inform whether the earlier directions requiring that every animal sold in a cattle fair must have a medical certificate and be marked before removal are being followed. The court also sought to know whether purchasers are being required to submit an affidavit along with revenue records of their agricultural holding to establish that the cattle are being purchased for agricultural purposes and not for slaughter. The bench has further sought details on whether the transportation of cattle from such fairs is being allowed only after the sale is supported by a medical certificate and marking on the animal, and whether such transportation is being carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978. The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 15, 2026....