Gujarat court sentences two to 7 years in jail for selling cow beef in Devgadh Baria

Dahod: The Limkheda Sessions Court has delivered a strict verdict in a cow beef sale case in Devgadh Baria. Accused Riyaz Abdul Rashid and Arbaaz Abdul Rashid have been sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹1 lakh each for selling banned cow beef. If the fine is not paid, the accused will have to serve an additional one year in jail.

The case dates back to March 1, 2023, when 15 kg of cow beef was seized from the Bhe Darwaza area. The Devgadh Baria police registered a case under the IPC and the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, 1954. Public Prosecutor S.B. Chauhan presented strong evidence, following which Additional District Judge H.H. Thakkar pronounced the verdict. According to the ruling, failure to pay the fine will result in one more year of imprisonment for the accused. The state has a strict legal ban on beef sale, and similar punishments have recently been awarded in Ahmedabad and Surat under the same Act.

The state government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal beef trade and cow slaughter. Trials are being expedited, and courts are imposing severe penalties. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi had earlier stated that cow slaughter is not only a criminal offence but also a violation of the state’s core values, assuring strict action against violators. DeshGujarat