The BJP Government’s proposal for a stricter anti-cow slaughter law has been delayed as the Central Government is still to clear the draft sent to it a few months ago.An Act prohibiting cow slaughter is already in place in Madhya Pradesh, but the ruling party feels there are many loopholes in it and the punishment is not sufficient to deter offenders. The proposed amendment seeks to make cow slaughter an offence punishable by up to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a hefty fine, probably the maximum punishment for the crime in the country. Besides cow slaughter, eating and carrying beef will also be an offence in the state once the legislation takes effect. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan admitted that the Government found it difficult to curb cow slaughter because there were many difficulties in enforcing the present legislation.The draft has been sent to the Union Government before being passed by the legislative assembly, because a couple of provisions clash with the Central legislations.The proposed amendment seeks to shift the burden of proof on the accused, unlike the Indian Evidence Act where the burden lies on the prosecuting agency. The accused, under the proposed law, will have to prove their innocence. Prosecution was difficult under the old legislation because police found it difficult to establish in courts that the cows seized were meant for slaughter.Also, the new legislation seeks to empower the District Magistrates to confiscate the vehicles used by offenders to carry either beef or cattle. It will also define “transport” and “transporter” in clear terms because the vaguely worded provisions helped the accused get away. For example, offenders carrying cows for slaughter did not use any vehicle while getting into or crossing the state borders.While the BJP Government wanted an early clearance of the draft, the Centre has put up a technical query. Registrar of Madhya Pradesh Goupalan and Pashudhan Samvardhan Board told The Indian Express on Friday that the state Government has satisfactorily answered the query. In-charge Principal Secretary (Animal Husbandry) Ranjana Chaudhary said the draft cleared by the Cabinet makes cow slaughter a cognisable and non-bailable offence.Madhya Pradesh was the second state after Gujarat to impose a total ban on cow slaughter.
