He succumbed to injuries on 8 October at 10:55 am at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab.
Himachal Pradesh High Court Issues Notice to State Govt Seeking Response on PIL on Stray Cattle Accidents: Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken cognizance of the road accidents caused by stray cattle across Himachal Pradesh, especially after the death of Punjabi singer Rajvir Singh Jawanda.
The Division Bench, headed by Justice Gurmit Singh Sandhawalia of the High Court, has issued a notice to the state government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Lawyers for Human Rights International (LFHRI), seeking a response to the petition, according to a report by the Indian Express.
According to the news report, the petition cited “public safety and accountability” and alleged that despite collecting over Rs 100 crore annually through cow cess, the funds are not being effectively used for the care and management of stray cattle.
The petition seeks a comprehensive action plan for the rehabilitation of stray cattle, effective use of cow cess funds, and stricter enforcement of road safety measures.
Advocate Navkiran Singh, who appeared for the petitioner organization, as cited in the report, stated, “The cow cess collected from liquor sales and power consumption is meant to provide shelter to abandoned cattle, but citizens continue to pay with their lives.”
According to the petitioner, the state has levied Rs 10 cow cess on every liquor bottle since 2023-24, as well as a similar cess on electricity bills under the Himachal Pradesh Electricity (Duty) Amendment Bill, 2024.
It also pointed out, citing government data, that over 9,000 stray animals still roam freely on roads, posing threats to the lives of others and themselves, while 20,000 have been housed in cow shelters.
The petitioner has stated that stray cattle pose a “major traffic hazard” on key highways in the state and that deadly accidents have almost become a daily occurrence.
The petitioner also pointed out the impact on agriculture due to the destruction of crops by stray cattle and monkeys.
The PIL was filed following the September 27 accident that killed singer Rajvir Jawanda after he battled for 11 days in critical condition following the accident.
The 35-year-old popular singer was on his way to Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla when his bike reportedly collided with two tussling stray cattle that suddenly appeared on the road.
He succumbed to injuries on 8 October at 10:55 am at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab.
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