The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955

(1) This Act may be called the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955. (2) It extends to the Union Territory of Chandigarh. (3) It shall come into force at once.

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context— (a) "beef" means flesh of cow in any form but does not include flesh of cow contained in sealed containers and imported; (b) "beef-products" include extraction from beef; (c) "cow" includes a bull, bullock, ox, heifer or calf; (d) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (e) "slaughter" means killing by any method whatsoever and includes maiming; (f) "Government" means the Central Government; and (g) "uneconomic cow" includes stray, unprotected, infirm, disabled, diseased or barren cow.

Not withstanding anything contained in any other law 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 Union Territory of Chandigarh: Provided that killing of a cow by accident or in self defence will not be considered as slaughter under the Act.

(1) Nothing in section 3 shall apply to the slaughter of a cow— (a) whose suffering is such as to render its destruction desirable according to the certificate of the Veterinary Officer of the area or such other Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department as may be prescribed; or (b) which is suffering from any contagious or infectious 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 Central 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 abets the contravention of any 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 fails to lodge the information in the manner and within the time stated in 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 proof that the slaughtered cow belonged to the class 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, 1898, an offence punishable under sub-section (1) of section 8 shall be cognisable and non-bailable.

(1) The Central Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of foregoing powers, such rules may provide for— (a) the conditions and the circumstances under which cows may be slaughtered under sub-section (1) of section 4; (b) the manner in which diseases shall be notified under sub-section (1)(b) of section 4; (c) the manner in which permission shall be obtained under sub-section (2) of section 4; (d) the form and contents of the certificate mentioned in sub-clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4 and the authorities competent to grant it; (e) the manner in which and conditions under which beef or beef products are to be sold under section 5; (f) the matters relating to the establishment, maintenance, management, supervision and control of institutions referred to in section 6; (g) the duties of any officer or authority having jurisdiction under this Act, the procedure to be followed by such officer or authority; and (h) the matters which are to be and may be prescribed.