The Bombay High Court granted anticipatory bail to Salim Ibrahim Shaikh, accused of selling cow meat. No concrete evidence existed, and the forensic report is pending, highlighting legal complexities in the case.
The Bombay High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to a man accused of selling cow meat in violation of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976. The case, titled Salim Ibrahim Shaikh v State of Maharashtra, stemmed from a raid at a mutton and beef shop in Thane’s Ullhasnagar, where police seized 110 kilograms of alleged beef.
Justice Rajesh Patil, while granting bail to Salim Ibrahim Shaikh, noted that there was no concrete recovery made as alleged by the police, and the forensic report on the meat was still pending. The Court observed:
“The report of the Dr Anita Kodibhau Date, the Veterinary Officer, Badlapur, District Than, will take some time. There is no such recovery to be made by the present applicant.”
Shaikh had a prior criminal case but was already granted bail in that matter. The Court stated that bail could be granted with stringent conditions, including a prohibition on engaging in such business in the future.
Under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, the sale of cow meat is prohibited, while buffalo meat remains legal. Acting on a tip-off, police from Central Police Station, Ullhasnagar, raided Shaikh’s shop and seized 110 kg of meat, suspecting it to be beef.
Shaikh, a licensed butcher, maintained that he was legally selling buffalo meat and provided a purchase receipt as proof. A sample of the seized meat was sent for forensic testing, but the report is still awaited.
During the hearing, Shaikh’s counsel argued that:
- No recovery was left to be made from the accused.
- The co-accused had already been granted bail.
- Shaikh was willing to abide by any conditions set by the Court.
However, the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) opposed bail, citing Shaikh’s past criminal record and arguing that his release could enable further illegal activities.
After hearing both sides, Justice Patil granted anticipatory bail, stating that if arrested, Shaikh would be released on a PR bond of Rs 30,000 with one or two sureties of the same amount.
Legal Representation
- Advocate Rohan Hogle along with Advocate Aadesh Konde Deshmukh, instructed by Advocate Sharan Bhagat, appeared for Shaikh.
- Additional Public Prosecutor Pallavi N Dabholkar represented the State.
The case highlights the importance of forensic verification in such matters and raises questions on pre-emptive legal action without conclusive evidence.
Case Title – Salim Ibrahim Shaikh v State of Maharashtra
Read the Judgement here:
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