India

Summary: The Act, specific to Assam, prohibits the slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks, heifers and calves. These animals may be slaughtered only on receipt of a certificate that states that the cattle (unless a cow) is over fourteen years old, or has (unless a cow, heifer or calf) become permanently incapacitated. These certified animals may only be slaughtered at registered slaughterhouses. Persons may not buy or sell beef or beef products except at permitted places. No person may transfer cattle from Assam to any district within the state that shares an international border with a foreign state where cattle slaughter is permitted.

Summary: The law, specific to the state of West Bengal, regulates the slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, buffalo calves and castrated buffaloes. Persons may not slaughter these animals without a certificate stating that the animal is over fourteen years of age and unfit for work or breeding, or that the animal has become permanently incapacitated from work or breeding due to age, injury, deformity or incurable disease. Animals under this Act may be slaughtered only in specific places.

Summary: The law, specific to the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar prohibits the slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks. Bulls and bullocks may be slaughtered only if they are over fifteen years of age or permanently unfit and unserviceable and on receipt of a certificate from a competent authority. Persons may not sell or transport beef products except for those beef products contained in sealed containers and imported into the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Summary: The Act, specific to the state of Punjab, criminalizes the slaughter of cows and bulls, bullocks, heifers and calves. Beef may not to be sold. The Act provides for the establishment of institutions for the maintenance and care of uneconomic cows. Offences under the Act are punishable with fines or imprisonment.

Summary: The law, specific to the state of Madhya Pradesh, criminalizes the slaughter of cows and their progeny, including bulls and bullocks. The Act criminalizes the possession and transport of beef and the transport of cows and their progeny for slaughter. The Act authorizes a competent authority to enter and inspect premises where they believe an offence under this Act has been or is likely to be committed. The state government must make rules for the economic rehabilitation of persons whose livelihoods have been affected by the Act. The Act imposes the burden or proof for an offence under the Act on the accused.

Summary: The law, specific to the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, prohibits the slaughter of cows and their progeny, including bulls, bullocks, heifers and calves. Persons may not possess, sell, transport, or offer beef for sale. Persons may not 'leave vagrant' cows and their progeny and may not free a cow 'for wandering after milching her'. Persons committing an offence under the Act shall be fined or imprisoned.

Summary: The legislation, specific to the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, prohibits the slaughter of cows and the calves of female buffaloes. Other animals may not be slaughtered without a certificate from a competent authority. Slaughter may be carried out only in specified places. Offences under the Act are punishable with imprisonment or fines. The law protects acts done in good faith under this Act or its rules. The Act provides for the establishment of institutions taking care of cows.

Summary: The law, specific to the state of Goa, allows the slaughter of bovines only when they are unlikely to be economical for the purpose of draught, agricultural operations, breeding, giving milk, or bearing offspring. Offences under the Act are cognizable—persons alleged to have committed an offence under the Act can be arrested without warrant. No legal proceedings can be instituted against the government or any officer of the government or local authority for actions done in good faith in pursuance of the Act.

Summary: The Act, specific to the Union Territory of Puducherry, prohibits the slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks. Bulls and bullocks may be slaughtered in certain specific circumstances. The sale of beef is banned.

Summary: The Act, specific to the South Indian state of Karnataka, prohibits the slaughter of cattle, restricts the transport of cattle from one part of the state to another for slaughter, and prohibits the sale, purchase and disposal of cattle for slaughter. The State may establish institutions for care and welfare of cattle. Persons and authorities acting in good faith to secure the objectives of the act are protected from the institution of legal proceedings.