Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar on Wednesday announced that the state government is actively considering permanently cancelling the registrations of vehicles repeatedly used in illegal cattle transportation, as part of a sweeping crackdown on organised cattle smuggling. The announcement came during a half-hour discussion in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, raised by MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar on animal preservation and enforcement of the cattle slaughter ban.

MCOCA for Habitual Offenders

Bhoyar confirmed that habitual offenders involved in organised cattle smuggling are being booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), which carries significantly harsher penalties than standard livestock protection laws. Law enforcement agencies are also maintaining detailed data on cow protection activists (gaurakshaks) and complainants to help trace and dismantle illegal networks.

Authorities have detected 17 instances in which previously seized vehicles were allegedly reused for the same offence. Currently, seized vehicles are released only on specific court orders — a gap the government now intends to close by pursuing permanent registration cancellations.

Scale of the Enforcement Drive

Bhoyar shared that 1,195 cases under cattle protection laws were registered across Maharashtra in 2025, resulting in the seizure of 9,81,736 kg of beef. A major operation on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala intercepted two container trucks carrying 57 tonnes of meat.

The subsequent investigation led Maharashtra authorities to an associated slaughterhouse in Hyderabad, Telangana. In coordination with local authorities, the facility was shut down and administrative action was initiated against four to five other illegal slaughterhouses operating in the area. This cross-state enforcement marks a notable escalation in inter-agency coordination.

Digital Tracking and the Bharat Pashudhan System

Under a Government Resolution (GR) issued on 27 February 2024, all livestock in Maharashtra must be tagged with a 12-digit barcoded ear tag linked to the centralised Bharat Pashudhan System. The digital database tracks breeding records, veterinary health history, and ownership changes to prevent illegal trade and create an auditable trail for every animal.

The state's Goseva Commission recently held a high-level review meeting, after which standard operating procedures were introduced to prevent unauthorised animal transportation and eliminate illegal slaughterhouses.

Proposed Legislative and Infrastructure Reforms

The government is also considering a package of legislative amendments that would enhance prison terms and fines, grant greater enforcement powers to the Goseva Commission, deploy specialised police squads, and constitute state and district-level monitoring committees. Mandatory CCTV surveillance at all inter-state border check-posts is also under consideration, following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On the welfare of rescued cattle, Bhoyar said funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) would be used to develop pasture lands and public grazing fields across rural areas, with coordinated efforts by the Home, Forest, and Animal Husbandry departments to improve fodder availability.

The Home Department is currently preparing a formal proposal for vehicle registration cancellations, and legislative amendments are expected to be tabled in the coming sessions.