UP cabinet approves ordinance to prevent cow slaughter

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved the Prevention of Cow slaughter (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 that provides a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment of a maximum of 10 years.

The legislation has been brought to prevent cow and their slaughtering in the state, a statement from the government said.

According to the Ordinance, for the first offence, a person can be jailed for one to seven years with a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh while for the second offence, the person can be imprisoned for 10-year with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh.

"The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved an ordinance, providing maximum rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh to protect cows and prevent their slaughtering," read the statement.

"A person can be jailed for one to seven years with a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh for putting the life of a cow in danger while for mutilation, the person can be imprisoned for 10-year with a fine up to Rs 5 lakh," it added.

If beef is found in a vehicle or it is discovered that cows are being illegally transported, the driver and the owner of the vehicle shall be charged under the new Act, unless proven that the transportation was done by someone else without the owner's knowledge. This requires prima facie confirmation by the competent authority and the laboratory.

The expenditure incurred on the maintenance of the captured cows will be recovered from the owner of the vehicle for a period of one year.

The provisions also attract punishment if there is a danger to their lives through physical damage or mutilation. In this case, one-year rigorous imprisonment may be awarded, which may extend to seven years. A fine of Rs 1 lakh may also be imposed, which may be extended to Rs 3 lakh.

Photographs and names of the culprits will be published at their homes or public places.