Hyderabad, Sept. 9 -- Officials are entitled to stop vehicles carrying livestock and examine their licences and permits, but cannot hold them up for hours together once the paperwork is found to be in order, the Telangana High Court has held.

Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, in an order passed on August 17, directed authorities not to detain a livestock transporter's vehicles for prolonged periods where their documents were valid, while making clear that officials remain free to act under the law if the paperwork is found wanting.

"Duty of the officers is to ascertain the documents and verify that they are in order and in accordance with law. if the documents are valid and are in accordance with law, the officers are bound to allow the vehic...