Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 325
Mischief by killing or maiming animal
Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
Animals, especially livestock, are often a family's or farmer's primary economic asset and a valuable form of property in India. This section singles out harm to animals for a notably higher punishment than ordinary mischief to reflect both the economic loss and the cruelty involved in deliberately harming a living creature as an act of malice or sabotage.