Suleman Mohamed Mohideen vs Officer in Charge, Police Station, Alawathugoda – CA PHC/31/2010-2019

In the case between Suleman Mohamed Mohideen (Appellant) and Officer in Charge, Police Station, Alwathugoda, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether legal authority existed under the Animal Act, Cruelty to Animals Act, or Butchers Ordinance to order confiscation of cattle transported without a permit and in a cruel manner. The holding determined that none of the cited statutes provided for confiscation of cattle as a penalty for such offenses. The principle reaffirmed is that courts are limited to authorities expressly provided by statute and cannot impose financial penalties—such as confiscation—not authorized by law. Prior precedents and statutory interpretation were relied upon, emphasizing that forfeiture powers must be explicitly conferred