HYDERABAD: Infamous for widespread illegal cattle slaughter which heightens during the festive season, the state of Telangana has come down heavily on the racket of cattle smuggling and illegal cattle slaughter that plagues the state.
Every year thousands of cattle are brought into the state of Telangana, and into its capital city, Hyderabad - a modern metropolitan Indian city - and most are slaughtered openly on roads mercilessly, but more importantly, illegally, in the name of festivals.
The modern city of Hyderabad is full of painful sights of mute animals stuffed like potato sacks in trucks, hundreds of eyes stare out of these trucks when they are seized by police officers who either act of their own accord or on information by vigilant animal welfare volunteers.
Gory sights of blood dripping from carcasses being transported in tempos fill the bustling streets of modern metro Hyderabad.
It is estimated that nearly 8000+ cattle are slaughtered in Hyderabad every year during the festive season, but for a city which has only 4 legal slaughterhouses with limited legal capacity, and comprehensive laws in the form of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2002 which govern 'how' legal slaughtering can happen, it is a 'daylight mystery' how these slaughters take place.
Yet, the state of Telangana has registered 80+ FIRs and rescued a 1000+ cattle in registered cases in the last 3 months alone.
And this is without the cops having a free hand in the matter, in light of local pressures.
While roadside hooliganism in the name of animal welfare has not been encouraged, we discovered a sinister cycle being followed by the Government Veterinary Officers even in this 'legal process' to fight cattle smuggling.
Legal background
Cattle smuggling, animal cruelty, and illegal slaughter themselves are covered under state-specific and central laws.
After a case of cruelty and smuggling for illegal slaughter is brought to the notice of the police, they proceed to make legal enquiries and register an FIR under applicable state-specific and central laws.
As soon as the FIR is registered, property involved in the crime, such as vehicles, animals are legally seized by the police after a seizure report.
Upon this, the offending vehicle and the victim animals become 'case property' - only to be disposed off as per orders of the learned Magistrate upon application of their judicial mind.
However, in Telangana, this process is bypassed by sending the animals to a temporary/unregistered cattle pound, wherein designated 'government veterinary officers' issue 'Fit for Slaughter' certificates for the animals.
Therefore, the legal provision meant to ensure health, safety, economic use of an animal before slaughtering it, is conveniently twisted to be used as a tool to bypass central laws (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals Rules, 2017) which specifically lay down how 'case property' animals in cruelty cases are to rehabilitated and dealt with.
Once these certificates are issued, the helpless animals who were already victims of smuggling, and unimaginable cruelty during the illegal transportation, are then released to the very persons accused of committing cruelty on them.
Much like a child being returned to kidnappers accused of torturing him/her.
The resultant absurdity is that even though a criminal case is ongoing against the accused, for animal cruelty and smuggling, to be decided by the Court, the concerned animals have already been handed back to the accused persons who have not even been adjudged as 'not guilty'!
The resultant illegality is that powers are arbitrarily being exercised by 'Veterinary Officers' to dispose off 'case property animals' without the notice of the Court, even as Courts spend their countless precious hours (years) deciding the original criminal case... not knowing that the animals (the original victims) are long gone!
The police in Hyderabad try to break this vicious cycle by rescuing the animals and sending them to registered shelters, such as Dhyan Foundation's 3 dedicated shelters, but with their hands tied are only able to get so far.
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Siddhant Jun 14, 2024
The way cattle are treated in this country is really depressing. Despite their being numerous laws to prevent slaughter and smuggling of cattle, the meat mafia continues to operate unabatedly. There needs to be a pan India political consensus on this issue before it's too late.
Shivan Chanana Jun 09, 2024
This is a herculean task which is being taken upneed authorities to do their part! Cattle must be protected as mentioned in the constitution
Roshni Mohan Jun 09, 2024
This gives us hope for these voiceless beings who undergo severe trauma at the hands of these traffickers. Wish this change happens throughout the country. Dhyan foundation is a very reputed organization and have been doing massive work across the nation tirelessly saving so many lives.
Nandini Matiyani Jun 09, 2024
It's shocking how the state officials are colluding in a concerted manner to abet an illegal activity and crime of illegal cow slaughter in contravention of existing laws and Case property rules. Thanks for exposing the truth Lawjournal team. Need to put a petition in court to stop this scam in the state. @telangana veterinary department, sham on your officials for abetting killing of the very animals your job pays you to protect. Are the mafia paying you off more than what the government pays you?? Good to know the police and Dhayn foundation are providing some respite and ray of hope to Animal lovers like me that all cattle going to Dhyan foundation gaushalas are atleast safe and not being handed back to perpetrators of cruelty on the poor mute animals. Hats off for standing up against the mafia in the state and doing the right thing.
Sharad Jun 09, 2024
All this is happening and the govt police and vets arnt doing anything?? They are either completely hand in glove or have no intent to follow rules of law. This is shocking..
Ruchi Jun 08, 2024
This is such a devious plan of these money hungry 'veterniary officials'! They r breaking all laws & behaving despicably! Need to punish asap & uphold law & order!
Manjul Sahni Jun 08, 2024
Why Telangana doesn't have strict rules? In the name of religion voiceless souls are sacrificed. Please wake up authorities.
Manjul Sahni Jun 08, 2024
Why Telangana doesn't have strict rules? In the name of religion voiceless souls are sacrificed. Please wake up authorities.
Rema Nair Jun 08, 2024
The plight of cattles in India is indeed distressing, withnsmuggling and slaughtering happening at large. Despite lauws and rules, curroption allows thesenpractices to continue. However, organizations like the Dhyan Foundation provide a glimmer of hope. Having personally visited one of their rescue shelters, I have witnessed firsthand the compassionate care they provide to rescued animals, including the wounded and sick. Their dedicated efforts are commendable in the face of such widespread cruelty.
Mohit Jun 08, 2024
It's clearly evident that these heinous crimes are facilitated by the corrupt in the govt machinery. It's an open and shut case govt can easily plug these crimes. Just a matter of political will.