New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh has, with the enactment of the cow slaughter prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2010, joined states that have strong anti-cow slaughter laws and makes even carrying a small tin of luncheon beef or even serving veal an offence that could fetch a jail term. In places like Jammu and Kashmir, such laws have historically been in force. Elsewhere, ruling parties — Congress, BJP and others — have either introduced legislation or tightened existing laws.
The recent Madhya Pradesh enactment fixes a seven-year jail term for violators, imposes a minimum fine of Rs 5,000, lays the burden of proof on the accused and overrides the softer law of 2004 that stipulated a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5,000.
The new law gives a police officer not below the rank of head constable or an authorized person the power of entry, inspection, search and seizure. It outlaws transportation of cows outside the state.
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Punjab have the toughest anti-cow slaughter laws. The existing Rajasthan law of 1995 was amended in 2004 and a 10-year jail term fixed. Illegal transporters can be put behind bars for five years. Those guilty of causing injury to a cow can be imprisoned for three years.
Likewise, a 1995 Punjab Act provides for a maximum 10-year jail term for cow slaughter or a fine of up to Rs 1,000 or both. The burden of proof, like in MP, is on the accused. In Uttarakhand too, a violator can be imprisoned up to 10 years and fined. It is a non-bailable offence. Illegal transporters can face three years’ imprisonment. In Haryana, punishment for a similar crime is a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to Rs 5,000.
In Himachal, the slaughter of cows and progeny is prohibited since 1979. The law was enacted by the then Janata Party government. Initially silent on transportation of cows for slaughter, the law was amended in 2010. Violators can be punished with up to five years in jail or fined up to Rs 51,000 or both.
Some states in the northeast and those like Kerala and West Bengal allow beef sale and slaughter.
The Dogra Maharajas of Kashmir banned cow slaughter in 1896, also disallowing transport and sale of beef. The rulers not only outlawed cow slaughter but also banned the killing of buffalos. The offence attracts a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5,000.
An anti-cow slaughter law has been in force in UP since 1955. Enacted by the Congress, the law initially allowed slaughter of old cattle. In 2002, the BJP government amended the Act and imposed a blanket ban. A violator faces a two-year prison term or Rs 1,000 fine or both. It is a cognizable, non-bailable offence. Cow slaughter was banned in Jharkhand in 2005. It attracts five years of rigorous imprisonment or Rs 5,000 fine or both.
The Gujarat assembly amended the Animal Preservation Act, 1954, on September 27 2010 and imposed a seven-year jail term for cow slaughter. The amendment is applicable to those who transport animals for slaughter.
Cow slaughter is banned in the National Capital Territory under the Delhi Agriculture Cattle Prevention Act, 1994. Export, import and sale of beef are illegal. Transportation of cattle for slaughter is banned and those found in possession of beef are liable to be punished. Violators can be imprisoned up to five years and fined up to Rs 10,000
Last year, Karnataka passed the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill. The legislation, now with the President, provides for imprisonment not less than one year which may extend up to seven years or a fine between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 or both. A subsequent offence would attract a fine of not less than Rs 50,000 up to Rs 1 lakh along with imprisonment penalty.
Slaughter Ban Across States
Madhya Pradesh | Jail term 7 yrs, fine max 5,000. Burden of proof on accused Transportation of cows & tinned beef illegal
Rajasthan | Banned since 1995 Jail term for slaughter 10 yrs, illegal transportation 5 yrs, causing injury to cow 3 yrs
Punjab | Existing Act amended 2011, jail term 10 yrs, fine up to Rs 1,000 or both, burden of proof on accused
Haryana | Banned since 1966. Jail term 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 5,000
Jammu and Kashmir |
Banned since 1896, buffalo slaughter banned as well, jail term 3 yrs, fine up to Rs 5,000
Uttar Pradesh | Ban since 1955, includes heifer and calf, Transport of cows outside state illegal. Jail term up to 2 yrs, fine up to Rs 1,000 or both
Jharkhand | Banned since 2005. Jail term 5 yrs, fine Rs 5,000 or both
Delhi | Banned since 1994. Export, import, sale of beef banned. Possession of beef illegal, jail term up to 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 10,000
Himachal | Banned since 1979. Jail termup to 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 51,000 or both
The recent Madhya Pradesh enactment fixes a seven-year jail term for violators, imposes a minimum fine of Rs 5,000, lays the burden of proof on the accused and overrides the softer law of 2004 that stipulated a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5,000.
The new law gives a police officer not below the rank of head constable or an authorized person the power of entry, inspection, search and seizure. It outlaws transportation of cows outside the state.
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Punjab have the toughest anti-cow slaughter laws. The existing Rajasthan law of 1995 was amended in 2004 and a 10-year jail term fixed. Illegal transporters can be put behind bars for five years. Those guilty of causing injury to a cow can be imprisoned for three years.
Likewise, a 1995 Punjab Act provides for a maximum 10-year jail term for cow slaughter or a fine of up to Rs 1,000 or both. The burden of proof, like in MP, is on the accused. In Uttarakhand too, a violator can be imprisoned up to 10 years and fined. It is a non-bailable offence. Illegal transporters can face three years’ imprisonment. In Haryana, punishment for a similar crime is a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to Rs 5,000.
In Himachal, the slaughter of cows and progeny is prohibited since 1979. The law was enacted by the then Janata Party government. Initially silent on transportation of cows for slaughter, the law was amended in 2010. Violators can be punished with up to five years in jail or fined up to Rs 51,000 or both.
Some states in the northeast and those like Kerala and West Bengal allow beef sale and slaughter.
The Dogra Maharajas of Kashmir banned cow slaughter in 1896, also disallowing transport and sale of beef. The rulers not only outlawed cow slaughter but also banned the killing of buffalos. The offence attracts a three-year jail term and a fine of Rs 5,000.
An anti-cow slaughter law has been in force in UP since 1955. Enacted by the Congress, the law initially allowed slaughter of old cattle. In 2002, the BJP government amended the Act and imposed a blanket ban. A violator faces a two-year prison term or Rs 1,000 fine or both. It is a cognizable, non-bailable offence. Cow slaughter was banned in Jharkhand in 2005. It attracts five years of rigorous imprisonment or Rs 5,000 fine or both.
The Gujarat assembly amended the Animal Preservation Act, 1954, on September 27 2010 and imposed a seven-year jail term for cow slaughter. The amendment is applicable to those who transport animals for slaughter.
Cow slaughter is banned in the National Capital Territory under the Delhi Agriculture Cattle Prevention Act, 1994. Export, import and sale of beef are illegal. Transportation of cattle for slaughter is banned and those found in possession of beef are liable to be punished. Violators can be imprisoned up to five years and fined up to Rs 10,000
Last year, Karnataka passed the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill. The legislation, now with the President, provides for imprisonment not less than one year which may extend up to seven years or a fine between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 or both. A subsequent offence would attract a fine of not less than Rs 50,000 up to Rs 1 lakh along with imprisonment penalty.
Slaughter Ban Across States
Madhya Pradesh | Jail term 7 yrs, fine max 5,000. Burden of proof on accused Transportation of cows & tinned beef illegal
Rajasthan | Banned since 1995 Jail term for slaughter 10 yrs, illegal transportation 5 yrs, causing injury to cow 3 yrs
Punjab | Existing Act amended 2011, jail term 10 yrs, fine up to Rs 1,000 or both, burden of proof on accused
Haryana | Banned since 1966. Jail term 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 5,000
Jammu and Kashmir |
Banned since 1896, buffalo slaughter banned as well, jail term 3 yrs, fine up to Rs 5,000
Uttar Pradesh | Ban since 1955, includes heifer and calf, Transport of cows outside state illegal. Jail term up to 2 yrs, fine up to Rs 1,000 or both
Jharkhand | Banned since 2005. Jail term 5 yrs, fine Rs 5,000 or both
Delhi | Banned since 1994. Export, import, sale of beef banned. Possession of beef illegal, jail term up to 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 10,000
Himachal | Banned since 1979. Jail termup to 5 yrs, fine up to Rs 51,000 or both
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