Mohanta stated in the affidavit that the Cuttack DCP had taken action against illegal cow transporters by registering 13 cases in 2021 and had also taken several preventive measures.
The State CB-CID has claimed before the Orissa High Court that the Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, and the provisions under sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code are being meticulously implemented in the State to prevent illegal transportation of cows.
Saroj Kanta Mohanta claimed in an affidavit to DSP (CB-CID) Cuttack that the existing provisions in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960 are adequate to prevent cruelty and curb illegal cow slaughter.
“In general, the Odisha Police is swiftly implementing the existing laws when the matter is either reported to the local police or the police receive any such information from any other source,” he said. The affidavit was filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored Special Task Force to prevent illegal cow transportation and the prohibition of cow slaughter in the state.
Jayanti Das, a social activist from the city, had filed the petition.
Taking note of it, Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice RK Pattanaik’s division bench directed petitioner’s counsel BK Ragada to file a rejoinder by September 13, the date set for the next hearing on the matter.
According to the report on illegal transportation cases attached to the affidavit, the number of cases increased from 117 in 2017 to 371 in 2021. Of the 1,033 cases reported over the five years, 143 were found in the north Odisha districts of Balasore (57), Bhadrak (62) and Mayurbhanj (24).
According to the report, an increasing number of cases of illegal cow transportation were being registered in the state as a result of vehicle interception and subsequent seizures. Mohanta stated in the affidavit that the Cuttack DCP had taken action against illegal cow transporters by registering 13 cases in 2021 and had also taken several preventive measures.
Prasanta Patnaik