New Gujarat law punishes cow slaughter with up to 10 years jail term

The Gujarat Assembly passed The Gujarat Preservation (Amendment) Bill that has stringent provisions for punishment for those found involved in cow slaughter, transportation and sale of beef or beef products in the State.

In the statement of objects of the bill, the state government has noted that “it is considered necessary to provide for more deterrent punishment for offences committed by contravening the provisions of the Act and also to make the offences cognizable and non-bailable.”

As per the provisions of the bill those found guilty will face “imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than seven years and with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees.”

Another important provision is with regard to vehicles used for transportation of animals for slaughtering. “The vehicles or any conveyance so seized under sub section (3) shall stand forfeited to Government in the manner as my be prescribed.”

“It is, however, experienced while implementing the said Act that still more stringent provisions are required to be made amending the said Act for curbing the menace of illegal slaughtering of the animals covered under the said Act to provide for more stringent punishment and effectively check the rampant use of vehicles for transporting such animals.”