Historic Verdict: Three Sentenced to Life for Cow Slaughter in Gujarat
In a landmark judgment that has drawn significant attention, a sessions court in Gujarat's Amreli district has sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment for cow slaughter, marking the first time such a severe punishment has been awarded in a single case under the state's animal preservation laws.
The Case Details and Police Action
The incident dates back to November 6, 2023, when Amreli police received a tip-off about ongoing cow slaughter and sale of cow meat at a specific location in the town. Acting swiftly on the information, police officials raided a house in the Baharpara, Khatkivad locality of Amreli town.
During the raid, the police team discovered clear evidence of cow slaughter and recovered meat from the premises. The investigation was further strengthened when a veterinary doctor and forensic team confirmed that the recovered material was indeed cow meat, providing crucial evidence for the case.
The three convicts have been identified as Kasim Solanki, Sattar Solanki, and Akram Solanki. While Akram was apprehended directly from the spot during the police raid, the other two accused initially fled but later surrendered to authorities.
Legal Proceedings and Court Judgment
The trial was conducted in the court of Sessions Judge Rizvana Bukhari, who delivered the verdict on Tuesday. The court convicted all three accused under the provisions of the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, which strictly prohibits the slaughter of any animal of cow progeny in the state.
In addition to the life imprisonment sentences, the court imposed a collective fine of Rs 6.08 lakh on each convict. The judgment also specified that in case of default in paying the fine, the convicts would undergo additional imprisonment of five months.
Apart from the charges under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, the accused were also facing charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, making this a comprehensive legal action against cow slaughter activities.
Government Reaction and Political Significance
The Gujarat government has welcomed the court's decision with open arms. In an official statement released on Wednesday, the state government emphasized its "commitment to cow protection" and stated that the "verdict makes it clear that the Gujarat government will teach a tough lesson to those doing injustice to 'Gaumata'."
Addressing mediapersons after the weekly meeting of the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, government spokesperson and senior minister Jitu Vaghani described the verdict as "historic" and compared it to a "red signal" for those involved in cow slaughter activities.
Vaghani highlighted that the legislation against cow slaughter was first introduced in Gujarat in 2011 under the then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The law was later made more stringent by adding the provision of life imprisonment, demonstrating the government's firm stance on the matter.
Special Public Prosecutor in the case, Chandresh Mehta, confirmed that this judgment sets a precedent as it's the first time three persons have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a single case of cow slaughter in Gujarat by a court.
The government statement further elaborated that 'gaumata is a centre of Indian culture and its faith', and assured that the "Gujarat government will show no mercy in offences such as cow slaughter." Minister Vaghani pointed out that the conviction reflects the strength of the chargesheet prepared by the prosecution.
