On Monday, the Allahabad High Court expressing its concern towards the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act 1955 said that law was being misused against innocent persons.
The court said, “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 in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all and which is triable by Magistrate Ist Class, having maximum sentence up to 7 years.”
There has been several incidents when the meat recovered by authorities is presumed to be beef without any analysis or confirmation.
As per the reports the single judge bench of Justice Siddharth made this observations while hearing a bail plea by Rahmuddin, who has been in jail since August 5 and was accused of cow slaughtering and sale under various sections of the Act.
The High Court while granting bail to Rahmuddin said, “Act is being misused against innocent persons”.
Justice Siddharth further added that in many cases, the accused continue to suffer in jail for an offence “that may not have been committed at all”.
The Allahabad High Court also said, “Moreover, cows and cattle on the road are menace to the traffic and number of deaths have been reported due to them. In the 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.”