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MCOCA to be imposed against cattle smuggling

  • Maharashtra Home Department issues orders to Police

  • Instructions also issued to take action against illegal slaughterhouses

Mumbai – The Home Department has directed the Police and revenue administration to take action under the ‘Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act’ (MCOCA) against individuals, organisations, and gangs repeatedly involved in cattle smuggling. Against the backdrop of Bakri Eid, Muslim MLAs had demanded during a meeting with the Chief Secretary that “MCOCA should not be imposed on cattle smugglers”; however, the Government has now issued this significant order. The Home Department has released a circular in this regard.

The circular states,

1. Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and Gram Panchayats should identify illegal slaughterhouses and take action against them.

2. The Transport and Traffic Department should take action against those illegally transporting animals. Action should also be taken under the ‘Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976’ if animals are treated cruelly.

3. The Police Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, and Transport Commissioner should appoint nodal officers and make their contact numbers available.

4. The concerned departments should form flying squads to curb illegal slaughterhouses and illegal transportation of animals.

5. Police should act upon complaints related to cattle protection received through the emergency number ‘112’.

During the meeting, some MLAs had strongly demanded that action should be taken against activists and organisations who stop traders’ vehicles without Police presence; however, the circular issued by the Home Department contains no mention of this matter.

Editorial Perspective

  • In January 2026, Police in Nagpur had, for the first time, registered a case under MCOCA against 12 individuals involved in cattle smuggling. Such strong action should be taken not merely once, but consistently in repeated cases of cattle smuggling.
  • The Home Department should review whether the Police are implementing the issued orders, and strict action should also be taken against Police personnel who fail to comply!

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