Raj HC puts quietus to 37-year-old animal cruelty case, quashes proceedings against octogenarian

Jodhpur: The Rajasthan High Court has invoked its inherent powers to quash criminal proceedings in a case dating back more than three decades, holding that reopening a matter settled since 1990 would only serve to unnecessarily revive litigation after an inordinate lapse of time. Justice Farjand Ali delivered the ruling while deciding State of Rajasthan vs Moola Ram (S.B. Criminal Appeal No. 140/1996) , an appeal filed by the State challenging the acquittal of a man accused of killing goats.

The legal battle originated from an incident in 1989. On January 2, 1990, the Judicial Magistrate, Barmer, had allowed an application for compromise and acquitted the accused-respondent, Moola Ram, of charges under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to mischief by killing or maiming cattle. The State challenged this acquittal in 1996, arguing that the person who entered into the compromise with the accused was not legally competent to do so. According to the prosecution, the goats belonged to one Bhuraram, while the compromise was executed by another individual named Jetharam.

During the hearing before the High Court, it was noted that the accused-respondent is now nearly 80 years old. The Court observed that even if the State’s technical plea regarding the validity of the compromise under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were accepted, the practical reality remained that the occurrence took place in 1989. Directing a retrial after a gap of 37 years would neither subserve the interests of justice nor serve any fruitful purpose.

Justice Ali emphasized that the judiciary must act to prevent the prolongation of stale disputes. The Court remarked that the matter had remained settled for decades and reviving it now would be an exercise in futility. Consequently, the Court held that the ends of justice would be better served by bringing a “quietus” to the entire controversy rather than unsettling a position that has prevailed for over thirty years.

By invoking its inherent powers to secure the ends of justice and prevent the abuse of the process of law, the High Court quashed the entire proceedings against the accused-respondent. The criminal appeal filed by the State was accordingly disposed of, and the Court directed that the accused need not surrender and his bail bonds be discharged.

Case Title State of Rajasthan vs Moola Ram

Case Number S.B. Criminal Appeal No. 140/1996

Court High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur

Bench Hon’ble Mr. Justice Farjand Ali

Date of Order 07 March 2026

Advocates For the Appellant: Mr. N.S. Chandawat, Dy.G.A.

For the Respondent: Mr. Tananjay Parmar, Amicus Curiae