Karnataka’s New Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill

Karnataka’s New Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Policies and Interventions

In news

• Karnataka passed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020) in the Assembly.

Key takeaways

• The Bill envisages a ban on all forms of cattle slaughter and stringent punishment for offenders.
• ‘Beef’ is defined as the flesh of cattle in any form.
• The word ‘cattle’ is defined as “cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock, and he or she buffalo below the age of 13 years”.
• The Bill also terms shelters established for the protection and preservation of cattle registered with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries as ‘gau shalas’.
• Police officers ranked sub-inspector and above or a competent authority will have the power to search premises and seize cattle and materials used or intended to use to commit the offence.
• Cow slaughter is termed as a cognizable offence in the bill.
• Violators can attract 3 to 7 years of imprisonment. 
• While a penalty between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh can be levied for the first offence, second and subsequent offences can attract penalties ranging between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.