Karnataka govt to ease release of vehicles seized for illegal cattle transport

Bengaluru: The Cabinet on Thursday approved an amendment that will allow vehicles, used for illegal transport of cattle, to be released on an indemnity bond.

At present, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, requires a bank guarantee for the release of vehicles seized during unauthorised cattle transport.

“The seized vehicle could be released only if the amount of the present value of the vehicle is deposited in the bank and a bank guarantee is issued. It is difficult for the small vehicle owners to get a bank guarantee for the release of their vehicles priced between Rs 3-5 lakh and above,” the department of animal husbandry said in a note.

The Act will be amended to include the option of providing an indemnity bond for the release of seized vehicles.

In October 2022, the High Court ordered the release of seized vehicles on an indemnity bond. Citing this, the government is amending the law.

The previous BJP government introduced the stringent 2020 Act, which replaced a 1964 law. The old law allowed slaughter of bulls, bullocks and buffaloes aged over 12 years or if they were unfit for breeding or did not yield milk.

The BJP government’s law imposed a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows. The only slaughter allowed is of terminally-ill cattle. Also, buffaloes above the age of 13 years can be slaughtered with permission.

The existing law prohibits transportation of any cattle from any place within the state to any other place within the state or outside for slaughter.