Witnessed a public animal sacrifice or cruelty during a rally? Here is how to use the PCA Act 1960 and BNS 325 to hold offenders accountable in Kerala.
You are scrolling through your Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) feed when you see a video from a local election victory rally in Kerala. Instead of just the usual slogans and sweets, the footage shows a group of people beheading a goat in the middle of a public street. It is disturbing, bloody, and feels inherently wrong. Your first instinct might be to look away or leave an angry comment, but in India, this isn't just a matter of 'bad vibes'—it is a clear violation of multiple laws. Whether it is a political celebration or a local festival, beheading animals in public is illegal. You have the power to ensure this doesn't go unpunished. Here is how you move from being a shocked bystander to a civic actor.
In India, animal welfare is protected by a combination of central acts, new criminal codes, and food safety regulations. If you witness a public beheading or animal mutilation in Kerala, the following legal provisions apply:
Under Section 11(1)(l) of the PCA Act, mutilating any animal or killing any animal in an unnecessarily cruel manner is a punishable offence. Furthermore, the Supreme Court in the case of Laxmi Narain Modi vs. Union of India (2013) laid down strict guidelines for the slaughter of animals, emphasizing that it must only happen in licensed slaughterhouses and never in public view. You can find the full text of the Act on indiacode.nic.in.
As of July 1, 2024, the BNS has replaced the IPC. Section 325 of the BNS deals with 'Mischief by killing or maiming animal'. It states that whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment or a fine, or both. This is a cognizable offence, meaning the police are legally bound to register an FIR and investigate without a warrant.
Under Regulation 2.1.2 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, no person is allowed to slaughter any animal within a municipal area except in a slaughterhouse authorized by the local authority. Public slaughter is a direct violation of these health and safety norms.
Section 120(e) of the Kerala Police Act specifically prohibits causing a nuisance by slaughtering an animal or skinning or cleaning a carcass in a public place. This gives the local Kerala police direct jurisdiction to act against such 'victory celebrations'.
Before you head to the police, you need proof. Do not put yourself in physical danger to get it.
You don't need a lawyer for this. A simple, factual letter in English or Malayalam works. State:
Go to the police station with jurisdiction over the area where the incident happened.
The police deal with the crime; the Board deals with the policy and systemic cruelty.
Since public slaughter is a violation of municipal laws and FSSAI regulations, the District Collector (who is also the District Magistrate) has the power to take action against the organizers of the rally.
If the video is being used to incite communal tension or is being circulated widely in Kerala, you should also report the content itself.
If 30 days pass and no arrests are made or no chargesheet is filed:
Browse all civic-action guides
Even with a video in hand, the system doesn't always move as fast as a viral post. Here is where the process typically hits a wall and how you can push through:
1. The "Political Pressure" Pivot Since these incidents often happen during election rallies, the local police might be hesitant to act against supporters of a winning candidate. The Duty Officer might tell you to "let it go" or claim it is a "local custom."
2. The "Electronic Evidence" Excuse The police might claim they cannot verify the video or that "anybody could have edited it."
3. The "Slaughter is Legal" Argument The perpetrators might claim that because goats are "food animals," killing them isn't a crime.
4. Portal Fatigue The Kerala Police "Pol-App" or online portals sometimes glitch or don't provide a proper receipt for animal cruelty complaints.
To, The Station House Officer, [Name of Police Station], [District], Kerala.
Subject: Complaint regarding public animal slaughter and cruelty under BNS and PCA Act.
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am writing to report an incident of animal cruelty that occurred on [Date] at approximately [Time] at [Specific Location/Landmark].
During a [mention event, e.g., election victory rally], I witnessed/viewed evidence of a goat being publicly beheaded in the middle of the street by [mention names if known, or "a group of unidentified persons"].
This act is a clear violation of:
I have attached the video evidence/photos of the incident [mention if on a pen drive or attached to email]. I request you to register an FIR immediately as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014).
Please provide me with a copy of the FIR or the GD entry number for my records.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Address]
You: "Sir/Madam, I want to file a complaint about a public animal beheading that happened during the rally yesterday. I have the video evidence." Officer: "It’s a celebration, don't make it a big deal. These things happen." You: "I understand it was a celebration, but Section 120(e) of the Kerala Police Act specifically prohibits public slaughter. It is also a cognizable offence under Section 325 of the BNS. I have a formal written complaint here. Please give me a receipt for this." Officer: "We will look into it later. Leave the paper here." You: "Sir, please provide a GD entry number or an acknowledgement stamp on this copy of the complaint so I know it has been officially received. As per the BNSS, I am entitled to a record of my report."
To: Public Information Officer (PIO), [Office of the SP/DSP of the District] Text:
1. Can I report this anonymously? You can send an anonymous tip to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) or local NGOs, but for the police to file a criminal FIR under the BNS, a complainant's name is usually required. If you fear for your safety, you can send the complaint via Registered Post to the SP, which avoids a face-to-face confrontation at the local Thana.
2. Is there a fee for filing an FIR? No. Filing an FIR is absolutely free. If any officer asks for money for "stationery" or "petrol," it is a bribe. Under Section 173(2) of the BNSS, a copy of the FIR must be given to the informant free of cost.
3. What if the video is old? The police might try to dismiss it as "old footage." Check the metadata of the file. If it was posted recently in connection with a specific 2024 or 2026 election event, the context (banners, slogans, people in the video) will prove its timeline. The statute of limitations for these offences is usually 3 years, so "old" isn't a valid excuse if it happened recently.
4. Does the law only protect cows? No. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Section 325 of the BNS apply to "any animal." Whether it is a goat, a chicken, or a dog, the law against "unnecessary pain or suffering" and "mischief by killing" is universal.
5. What is the maximum punishment for this? Under Section 325 of the BNS, the punishment for killing or maiming an animal can include imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine, or both. Under the PCA Act, the fines are currently very low (₹10 to ₹100 for first-time offenders), but the BNS charges are much more serious and carry jail time.
6. Can I stop the slaughter while it is happening? Never put your physical safety at risk. If a mob is involved in a celebration, do not intervene alone. Call the 112 emergency helpline immediately. Record from a safe distance. Your role as a civic actor is to ensure the law takes its course through evidence, not to be a vigilante.
7. Who else can I complain to besides the police? You can mark a copy of your complaint to the District Collector (who is the head of the District Animal Welfare Society) and the Kerala State Animal Welfare Board. If the slaughter was done by a food business, you can also report it on the FSSAI 'Food Safety Connect' portal.
You can send an anonymous tip to the **Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)** or local NGOs, but for the police to file a criminal FIR under the BNS, a complainant's name is usually required. If you fear for your safety, you can send the complaint via Registered Post to the SP, which avoids a face-to-face confrontation at the local *Thana*.
No. Filing an FIR is absolutely free. If any officer asks for money for "stationery" or "petrol," it is a bribe. Under **Section 173(2) of the BNSS**, a copy of the FIR must be given to the informant free of cost.
The police might try to dismiss it as "old footage." Check the metadata of the file. If it was posted recently in connection with a specific 2024 or 2026 election event, the context (banners, slogans, people in the video) will prove its timeline. The statute of limitations for these offences is usually 3 years, so "old" isn't a valid excuse if it happened recently.
No. The **Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960** and **Section 325 of the BNS** apply to "any animal." Whether it is a goat, a chicken, or a dog, the law against "unnecessary pain or suffering" and "mischief by killing" is universal.
Under Section 325 of the BNS, the punishment for killing or maiming an animal can include imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine, or both. Under the PCA Act, the fines are currently very low (₹10 to ₹100 for first-time offenders), but the BNS charges are much more serious and carry jail time.
Never put your physical safety at risk. If a mob is involved in a celebration, do not intervene alone. Call the **112 emergency helpline** immediately. Record from a safe distance. Your role as a civic actor is to ensure the law takes its course through evidence, not to be a vigilante.
RTI templates, FIR scripts, real escalation ladders — the same kind of thing you just read. Sundays only. No spam.
We don't share your email. Unsubscribe any time.
Get ₹50,000 for your technical education. Learn how to apply for AICTE's Pragati, Saksham, and Swanath scholarship schemes for the 2026-27 academic year on the NSP portal.
Check if your college is legal. Learn how to download the AICTE APH 2024-27 and verify mandatory norms for faculty, labs, and student grievances.
Found a broken link or outdated data on a government portal? Learn how to find and message the Web Information Manager (WIM) to get it fixed fast.
Ever wonder how new state laws actually affect you? Learn how to find, read, and decode State Legislative Briefs to track bills before they become law.