Now, cow slaughter to be a crime under the Goonda Act

Governor Ram Naik on Friday promulgated the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goonda (Amendment) Ordinance, bringing crimes like cow slaughter, human trafficking and money laundering under its ambit.

According to a spokesman from Raj Bhawan, the ordinance seeks to amend the UP Control Of Goonda Act 1970 to bring more crimes in its purview.

Now people found guilty of these offences will be booked under this law also. By amending the Act, the government has also added new sections to cover crime against children, bonded labour, sexual exploitation, illegal organ removal, crimes under forest law and beggary.

Under the Act, a goonda has been defined as a person, who either by himself or as a member or leader of a gang, habitually commits or attempts to commit, or abets the commission of an offence punishable under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of IPC or has been convicted for an offence punishable under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956. Under the law, goonda is generally reputed to be a person who is desperate and dangerous to the community or has been habitually passing indecent remarks or teasing women or girls.

Earlier last month, the governor promulgated Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and AntiSocial Activities (Prevention) Amendment Ordinance 2015.

The amendment had added clauses for organised crimes like fake currency, money laundering, human trafficking, cow slaughter, illegal transportation of animals and other such crimes. Under the amendment, some crimes had been included in the list. Apart from provisions of CrPC, those committing these crimes would also have to face prosecution under Gangsters and AntiSocial Activities (prevention) law. Earlier 15 categories of crimes were included in this Act. Now widening the area the government has brought some other crimes into its ambit to control crimes.

Cow slaughter, illegal transportation of animals, bonded labourers, child labour, sexual exploitation, illegal organ removal, beggary, fake currency, printing and movement of fake Indian currency, fake medicines, manufacturing of illegal weapons and ammunition, human trafficking, crimes under forest laws and forest animals had also been brought under the purview of this act. With the state assembly session set to commence from February 18, the state government would have to introduce bills to replace these ordinances. (HindustanTimes)