Now, life term for cow slaughter in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, March 31

The Gujarat Assembly today passed a Bill enhancing the punishment for cow slaughter to life term and fine up to Rs 5 lakh for effective deterrence against the illegal practice in the state.

The Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2017, an improvement on the 1954 Act, makes Gujarat the first state to make stringent provisions for cow slaughter.

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Through an earlier amendment, the state had provided for jail term of seven to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1  lakh to Rs 5 lakh for illegal transportation of cows, but the new Act bans transportation, even legal and licensed movement, from sunset to sunrise.

The Bill calls for seizure of vehicles used for transporting animals. “So far, the provision was to withhold such vehicles for six months,” Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said. — TNS