UP govt clears ordinance against cow slaughter

Under the provisions of the ordinance, authorities can charge the driver as well as the owner of the vehicle used to transport beef in an unauthorised manner.

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It aims to make the existing law more organised and effective, and completely stop cow slaughter in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement issued here.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved an ordinance penalising cow slaughter with jail terms ranging from one year to 10 years and fines between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, also has a provision that allows authorities to paste pictures of the accused in their neighbourhoods or a prominent public place if they go on the run.

Under the provisions of the ordinance, authorities can charge the driver as well as the owner of the vehicle used to transport beef in an unauthorised manner.

The government said the ordinance proposes harsher prison sentences even though the current law has a provision of maximum seven years in jail.

According to the ordinance, the accused will also have to bear expenditure related to the maintenance of the seized cattle for a year or till the animals are released, whichever earlier. The ordinance also defines punishment for cases in which cattle is physically injured, or is transported in a manner that risks their lives or mutilates them.

This violation also carries a fine between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. Those who violate provisions related to slaughter face up to 10 years and penalties between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

Those found guilty of an offence for the second time will face double the punishment proposed under the ordinance.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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