Allahabad High Court has expressed its concern over the increasing misuse of anti-cow slaughter law in Uttar Pradesh to target innocent people. The innocent people are targeted without any forensic evidence which can prove that whether the recovered meat is beef.
Allahabad HC has granted bail to Rahamuddin, who was allegedly booked for being involved in the cow slaughter. Justice Sidharth observed that the misuse of Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 has been leading to innocent persons languishing in jail.
“The Act is being misused against innocent persons. Whenever any meat is recovered, it is normally shown as cow meat (beef) without getting it examined or analyzed by the forensic laboratory. In most of the cases, meat is not sent for analysis. Accused persons continue to remain in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all,” directed the High Court.
The court had passed the order on October 19 but made it public days later. Allahabad High Court has also raised concern for the need for proper care for the non-milking cows who are abandoned by their owners. There is a major need for taking care of these cows if the laws against the slaughter of cows are to be implemented in letter and spirit.
“Goshalas do not accept non-milking cows or old cows and they are left to wander on the roads. In rural areas cattle owners who are unable to feed their livestock, abandon them. They cannot be transported outside the state for fear of locals and police. There are no pastures now. Thus, these animals wander here and there destroying the crops,” the court said.
The court further stated, “Whether cows are on roads or on fields their abandonment adversely affects the society in a big way. Some way out has to be found out to keep them either in cow shelters or with the owners, if UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act is to be implemented in letter and spirit.”
The petitioner in the case Rahamuddin, stated in his petition that there are no specific allegations in the FIR and was not arrested from the place of incident. Also, there was no proper process followed to investigate whether the meat recovered is beef or cow meat.
In previous times too, it was reported that Uttar Pradesh authorities have been taking severe actions against the accused in cow slaughter cases. They are also charging them under the National Security Act.
