Background
A man accused of illegally selling cow meat has been granted anticipatory bail by the Bombay High Court. The case was filed under various provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which regulates the slaughter and sale of cattle in the state.
Court’s Rationale
The court observed that the prosecution had not presented strong evidence to justify the immediate arrest of the accused. The judge noted that custodial interrogation was not necessary at this stage, especially when there were no clear indications that the accused was involved in large-scale illegal cattle slaughter or trade.
Existing Measures
Under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, the slaughter of cows is completely prohibited, while the slaughter of bulls and bullocks is only allowed with prior permission. Violations can lead to imprisonment and hefty fines. However, the accused claimed that he was not engaged in any illegal activities and that the allegations were based on mere suspicion.
Conclusion
The court granted anticipatory bail while directing the accused to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The judgment reinforces the principle that an arrest should not be made unless there is concrete evidence supporting the allegations.