GANDHINAGAR — Additional Sessions Judge B R Rajput on Monday delivered judgment in a 2024 cow slaughter case that has gone viral for its opening.
In the first four pages, the court discussed importance of cows, citing ancient Hindu texts that describe cows as revered as the mother of the universe and refer to belief that 33 crore deities reside in them.
The judgment says, “The cow is regarded as the mother of the world, serving as an abode for 33 crore deities. Her four legs are symbolic of the four Vedas.”
Citing Manusmriti and Vedas, the court said cow is not merely an animal but regarded as pillar of material prosperity and dharma. Sage Manu entrusted primary responsibility for protection and care of cattle to Vaishya varna. In context of Arsha Vivaha, a traditional form of Vedic marriage, the pair a cow and a bull holds special significance.
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Further, citing Vedas, when drops of amrita fell to earth through power of penance, divine cow Kamadhenu emerged and came to be regarded as progenitor of all bovine species.
The court said the three accused knew that cows are considered as mothers but still mercilessly slaughtered one.
Convicts are Wasim Kureshi of Juhapura, Mohammed Rafiq Kureshi of Behrampura and Asfak Bahelim of Fatehwadi, all residents of Ahmedabad. According to prosecution, they used to buy old or non milking cows and buffaloes at low prices and slaughter them for business.
Case dates to August 22, 2024 raid on house in Jamla village, Gandhinagar district. Police caught them red handed and seized about 277 kg of beef valued at Rs 55,000 while they were making arrangements to sell it to persons named Ghulam Moin, Lalabhai Senma and Vitthal Senma. Weapons allegedly used to slaughter and a vehicle meant to transport meat were also seized. Prosecution examined 54 witnesses and 18 documents.
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They were found guilty under Gujarat Animal Preservation Amendment Act 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
While awarding rigorous imprisonment for life plus fine of Rs 3 lakh each, court noted, “Despite knowing that cows are considered as mothers, the accused mercilessly slaughtered it, cut off its heads, stomachs, legs and skin.”
"If such accused, who mercilessly slaughter cows, are not punished as prescribed by law, the mother cows will become extinct with the passage of time," court added.
Gujarat law is among strictest in country. 2011 Act was amended in 2017 to provide life term up to 14 years which may extend to life, and fine up to Rs 5 lakh for cow slaughter, transportation, storage. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi hailed verdict saying clear message law will never spare those who commit cow slaughter.
The judgment is not isolated. In 2022, a sessions court in Tapi made similar observations calling cow mother and saying houses made of cow dung are not affected by atomic radiation, while sentencing man for illegal transportation. In Hyderabad 2017, High Court judge said cow substitute to mother and God.
For legal perspective, citing scriptures in first pages to establish motive and cultural context is permissible, but conviction must rest on evidence of possession and slaughter. Here court said caught red handed, which is factual basis.
*Tags:* #Gujarat #CowSlaughter #GandhinagarCourt #LifeImprisonment #Manusmriti #Vedas #33CroreDeities #GujaratAnimalPreservationAct #Kamadhenu #HarshSanghavi