A sessions court in Amreli district on Tuesday convicted three Muslim men of cow slaughter under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, sentencing them to life imprisonment and imposing a collective fine of more than ₹18 lakh.
According to Special Public Prosecutor Chandresh Mehta, this is the first time in Gujarat that three individuals have been handed life terms in a single cow-slaughter case.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Gujarat government welcomed the verdict, saying it remains “committed to cow protection” and that the judgment “makes it clear that the government will teach a tough lesson to those doing injustice to ‘Gaumata’.”
The Gujarat Animal Preservation Act prohibits the slaughter of any animal belonging to the cow progeny in the state.
Critics argue that these laws, often framed as animal welfare measures, disproportionately target Muslims and Dalits, who are involved in the cattle trade, leather industry, and beef consumption. This has led to economic disruption, vigilante violence, and Islamophobia.
The case dates back to November 6, 2023, when Amreli police, acting on a tip-off, raided a house in Baharpara, Khatkivad area of Amreli town.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.