Cow slaughter prohibition: All about cow protection law and quantum of punishments across India

Cow is a revered animal in India as its products are used in variety of sacrificial rituals. It related to sentiments of millions of Hindus residing in India. Cow slaughter has been a sensitive issue since pre-independence time in India. Its protection is sought by millions of Hindus living across India.

In one of the decision towards seeking its protection, the Gujarat Assembly on Friday amended the cow protection law and enacted life term for those found involved in cow-slaughtering. Under this Act, the people found involved in the transportation of beef and other related crimes will be penalised with Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000 fine.

Similar laws have been in practice in other states as well to protect the sacred animal. Different state in India have different stand on cow slaughter. In most of the north-eastern states, it is legal. Cow slaughter is legal in states like Kerala, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

But, it is strictly prohibited in places such as Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Quantum of punishment in states:

# Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Slaughter of cows prohibited. The people violating it face 6 months in prison and Rs 1,000 fine.

# Assam

In most of the places cow slaughter is banned except at designated places with ‘fit-for-slaughter’ certificate.

# Bihar

Slaughter of cows banned. Violators face 6 months in jail and Rs 1,000 fine.

# Chandigarh

Slaughter of cow banned in the place.

# Chhattisgarh

Slaughter and possession of meat banned. Punishment of 7 years in jail and fine up to Rs 50,000.

# Delhi

Slaughter and possession of cow meat banned.

# Gujarat

Life imprisonment for cow slaughter and transportation of beef and other related crimes will be penalised with Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000 fine.

# Haryana

As per a 2015 law, cow cannot be killed in state. Punishment: 3-10 years jail, fine up to Rs 1 lakh.

# Himachal Pradesh

Slaughter of cow will lead to 5 years in jail.

# Jammu and Kashmir

Slaughter of cow punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

# Jharkhand

Violators of cow slaughter face up to 10 years in jail and Rs 10,000 fine.

# Karnataka

Cow slaughter leads to 7 years in jail and Rs 1 lakh fine

# Madhya Pradesh

The offence will lead to 7 years in jail.

# Maharashtra

Cow slaughter will lead to 5 years in prison and Rs 10,000 fine.

# Odisha

2 years’ jail, Rs 1,000 fine for cow slaughter.

# Punjab

Slaughter allowed only for export with government permit.

# Rajasthan

10 years’ imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine for cow slaughter.

# Tamil Nadu

There will jail term of 3 years and Rs 1,000 fine for cow slaughter in state.

# Uttar Pradesh

Slaughter of cow banned in state. 7 years’ jail and Rs 10,000 fine for offence.

Also read: Gujarat Assembly amends cow protection law, enacts life imprisonment for cow slaughter