State PCS - Haryana (HCS)

• 08 Mar 2025

Cases Under Cow Protection Act

Why in News? 

The Haryana government has decided to fast-track the disposal of cases registered under the Cow Protection Act by establishing four special courts with jurisdiction across the state. 

 Key Points 

• Establishment of Special Courts:  
  • The Governor, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s approval, has set up special courts in Nuh, Palwal, Ambala, and Hisar. 
  • These courts will be led by the senior-most Additional District and Sessions Judge and Civil Judge handling regular cases. 
  • These courts will fast-track cases related to offences under the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015. 
• Jurisdiction of Special Courts: 
  • Nuh Court: Will oversee cases from Nuh, Rewari, Narnaul, Charkhi Dadri, and Bhiwani districts. 
  • Palwal Court: Will cover Palwal, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and Sonepat districts. 
  • Ambala Court: Will have jurisdiction over Ambala, Panchkula, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Karnal districts. 
  • Hisar Court: Will handle cases from Hisar, Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa, and Kaithal districts. 
• Haryana's Cow Protection Law: 
  • The Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act was enacted in 2015. 
  • The law strictly prohibits the slaughter of cows and aims to reduce the consumption of beef. 
  • It prohibits slaughter, offering for slaughter, or causing the slaughter of cows. However, killing a cow in self-defense or by accident is not considered slaughter under the law. 
• Role of Special Task Force: 
  • The Special Cow Protection Task Force is responsible for enforcing the Act in Haryana. 
  • The task force actively collects information on cattle smuggling and slaughter from the public and takes action accordingly.