Convicted of cow slaughter, 3 sentenced to life term in jail

The Gujarat Animal Preservation Act prohibits slaughter of any animal of cow progeny in the state.

The case was reported on November 6, 2023 in Amreli town. The three convicts have been identified as Kasim Solanki, Sattar Solanki and Akram Solanki.

As per available details, on a tip-off that cow slaughter and sale of cow meat was underway at a particular location, the Amreli police had raided a house in Baharpara, Khatkivad locality of the town on November 6, 2023. The police team found evidence of cow slaughter and also recovered meat. Subsequently, a veterinary doctor and a forensic team confirmed that the recovered material was cow meat.

While one person, Akram, was nabbed from the spot by the police, two others fled. The two, however, surrendered later.

Apart from the provisions of Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, the three were also facing charges under the provisions of Indian Penal Code.

The trial of the case was conducted in the court of Sessions Judge Rizvana Bukhari. The court, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced the three. In default of paying the fine, the convicts were also ordered to undergo additional imprisonment.

Special public prosecutor in the case Chandresh Mehta said that this is for the first time that three persons have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a single case of cow slaughter in Gujarat by a court.

The Gujarat government has hailed the verdict. Addressing mediapersons after the weekly meeting of the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a spokesperson of the government as well as senior minister Jitu Vaghani called the verdict “historic” and like a “red signal” for those involved in cow slaughter.

The statement added that ‘gaumata is a centre of Indian culture and its faith’. It added, “Gujarat government will show no mercy in offences such as cow slaughter.”

Vaghani pointed out that a court convicts accused when there is a “strong chargesheet” against them.

Vaghani added that the legislation against cow slaughter was first brought in Gujarat in 2011 under the then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later it was made more stringent by adding the provision of life imprisonment in it.