Attention animal lovers! Now Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita considers the provisions relating to animals

Animal lovers and animal welfare activists should take note that the recent replacement of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) has brought changes to the legal sections of the provisions related to animals.

Articles 428 and 429 of the CIB replaced by Article 325 of the BNS

Notably, the newly introduced penal code has condensed and brought together a few sections of the IPC into one, which would provide justice to the voiceless creatures in cases of problems and violations. Instead of sections 428 and 429 of the IPC, the law would now consider the equivalents of the BNS, 2023.

It should be noted that, when filing complaints regarding animal-related incidents, section 325 of the BNS would be implied. Additionally, Article 2(2) defines the term “animal” and states that it means “any living creature, other than a human being”.

What is Article 325 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

Mischief by killing or mutilating an animal: Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, mutilating or rendering useless any animal shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both. .

Animal rights activist Ashar Meet reacts to the decision

“This is a welcome step. Irrespective of the species of animal that is mutilated or killed, the punishment will be the same, unlike what was provided under the Indian Penal Code,” said Ashar Meet, animal rights activist and legal advisor to PETA India.

He also critically analyzed the legal framework and said: “It is both good and bad. While the BNS removes the value of the animal and prescribes uniform punishment for all species of animals killed or mutilated, it also decriminalizes sexual abuse of animals, which was an offense under Section 377 of the Code Indian criminal law. This is a huge setback for animals, as cases of animal sexual abuse are only increasing. »

Published on: Monday July 1, 2024, 11:50 AM IST