Three Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Gujarat Cow Slaughter Case; Court Cites Hindu Scriptures

India: A sessions court in Kalol, Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district, has sentenced three men to life imprisonment in a cow slaughter case, citing Hindu religious texts, including the Manusmriti and the Vedas, while discussing the religious significance of cows.

Additional Sessions Judge B.R. Rajput pronounced the verdict on Monday, sentencing Wasim Qureshi, Mohammad Rafiq Qureshi and Asif Bahelim to life imprisonment. The court also imposed fines ranging from Rs 200,000 to Rs 300,000 on each convict.

According to the case details, police raided a house in Jamla village of Gandhinagar district on August 22, 2024, and allegedly recovered around 277 kilograms of beef. Investigators said the accused purchased old or non-milking cattle at low prices, slaughtered them and sold the meat.

Slaughtering equipment and a vehicle allegedly used to transport the meat were also seized during the raid. Six people were arrested in connection with the case, three of whom were subsequently convicted.

The court convicted the men under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Gujarat amended its animal preservation law in 2017 to introduce life imprisonment for cow slaughter, making it one of the states with the strictest penalties for the offence.

In its judgment, the court referred to Hindu religious scriptures to explain the cultural and religious importance of cows. The judge observed that cows were regarded not merely as animals but as symbols of religion and prosperity.

The verdict also referred to the religious belief that 330 million deities reside in the cow and cited the Rigveda’s use of the term “Aghnya,” interpreted as meaning that a cow should not be killed.

The judge reportedly warned that failure to punish such offences in accordance with the law could eventually threaten the continued existence of cows.