Gandhinagar court sentences three to life terms in cow slaughter case

A sessions court in Kalol sentenced three men to rigorous life imprisonment and fined each ₹3 lakh in a cow slaughter case involving the seizure of 277 kg of beef. Additional Sessions Judge B R Rajput convicted Vasim Kureshi, Mahmad Rafiq Kureshi, and Asfak Bahelim under the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Additional Public Prosecutor Jignesh Joshi stated that police arrested six people after raiding a house in Jamla village on 22 Aug 2024, where officers seized 277 kg of beef, weapons, and a transport vehicle. The court found that the accused intended to sell the meat to Ghulam Moin Kureshi, while three other accused faced trial separately. Quoting ancient Sanskrit texts, the judge held, “Cow is considered as the mother of the universe.” The court observed that failing to punish the offenders could threaten the survival of cows.