The Karnataka Assembly passed a bill to ban the all cattle slaughter except buffalo aged above the age of 13 years.
Many states have laws against cow slaughter exempting buffalo from the prohibition. But Karnataka has prohibited the slaughter of buffaloes below the age of 13 years. The bill titled the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020, imposes a total ban on the cattle slaughter and prohibits the transportation of cattle within or outside the state for the purpose of cattle slaughter.
The bill repeals the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act 1964 under which the slaughter of bullock or buffalo was permissible with certification from the competent authority.
As per the bill, seized cattle will be handed over to the care of state-run organizations.
Section 4 of the bill states “Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, custom or usage to the contrary, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered, or offer or cause to be offered for slaughter or otherwise intentionally kill or offer or cause to be offered for killing any cattle”.
The bill has defined “cattle” as “cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock and he or she buffalo below the age of thirteen years” and “Beef” is defined as “flesh of cattle in any form”.
A police officer above the rank of sub-inspector can inspect any premises if he has “reason to believe” that an offence under this Act has been committed.
The offences under this bill are cognizable and violations can be punished with imprisonment of three to five years and fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh.
The bill is yet to get consent of Legislative Council.
