The Goa, Daman &amp

(1) This Act may be called the Goa, Daman and Diu Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1978. (2) It extends to the whole of the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. (3) It shall come into force at once.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "beef" means flesh of cow in any form but does not include flesh of cow contained in sealed containers and imported into the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu; (b) "cow" means and includes cow, heifer or calf; (c) "Government" means the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu; (d) "slaughter" means killing by any method whatsoever; (e) "notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the word "notified" shall be construed accordingly; (f) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or any usage or custom to the contrary, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered or offer or cause to be offered for slaughter any cow in any place in the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.

(1) Nothing in section 3 shall apply to the slaughter of a cow,- (a) whose suffering is such as to render destruction desirable according to the certificate of the Veterinary Officer of the area or such Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department as may be prescribed; or (b) which is suffering from any contagious disease notified as such by the Government; or (c) which is subjected to experimentation in the interest of medical and public health research by a certified medical practitioner of the Animal Husbandry Department. (2) Where it is intended to slaughter a cow for the reasons specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1), it shall be incumbent for a person doing so to obtain the prior permission in writing of the Veterinary Officer of the area or such other Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department as may be prescribed.

Except as herein excepted and notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall sell or offer for sale or cause to be sold beef or beef-products in any form except for such medicinal purposes as may be prescribed.

There shall be established by the Government or by any local authority, when so directed by the Government, institutions for the reception, maintenance and care of uneconomic cows.

The Government or the local authority, if so authorised, may levy such fees as may be prescribed for care and maintenance of uneconomic cows in the institution.

(1) Whoever contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of the provisions of section 3 or 5 shall be guilty of an offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or with both. (2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 4 shall be guilty of an offence punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to Rs. 200 or with both. (3) In any trial for an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) the burden of proving that the slaughtered cow belonged to the category specified in clause (a) or (b) of sub-section (1) of section 4 shall be on the accused.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974), an offence punishable under sub-section (1) of section 8 shall be cognisable and non-bailable.