Highlights of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 [Read Bill]

The Karnataka State Legislative Assembly yesterday gave the green signal to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 amidst clamour from the opposition..The 2020 Bill seeks to bring back the ban on cattle slaughter that was introduced in the State in 2010, albeit with more stringent penalties for contravention..Here are the highlights of the controversial Bill:.Beef is defined under the Bill as the flesh of any cattle. Cattle is defined as "cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock and he or she buffalo below the age of thirteen years". Slaughter is defined as "killing by any method whatsoever and includes maiming and infliction of physical injury which in the ordinary course will cause death"..Section 4 prohibits the slaughter of cattle. Section 5 restricts the transportation of cattle for slaughter within the State. Transport of cattle is allowed for bona fide agricultural and animal husbandry purposes, in the manner prescribed by the Central or State government. Section 6 restricts the inter-state transportation of cattle for slaughter. Under Section 7, sale or purchase of cattle for slaughter is prohibited..Police officers not below the rank of Sub-Inspector and the competent authority under the Bill are empowered to inspect and seize any "cattle, premises and materials used or intended to be used for the commission of an offence under the Bill", if they have reason to believe that such offence has been committed..Once the records of such seized items are placed before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, he has the power to pass orders confiscating the same. Additionally, he may sell the confiscated properties through a public auction, if he feels it is expedient in public interest to do so..As per Section 14, if an accused is convicted, the court shall forfeit the confiscated cattle, vehicle, premises, and materials to the State government..Conviction under Section 4 invites imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than seven years and/or fine of not less than Rs. 50,000 for each cattle which can be extended to Rs. 5 lakh. For subsequent offences, the fine is not less than Rs 1 lakh and can be extended to Rs. 10 lakh..For contravention of provisions other than Section 4, the prison term is three to five years, and the fine is not less than Rs. 50,000 and can extend to Rs. 5 lakh..All offences under the Bill are cognizable..[Read the Bill]