Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to Ex-UP Minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi Over Allegations of Running Meat Plant Without License
The Allahabad High Court has recently granted bail to Haji Yaqoob Qureshi, a former UP Minister and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Qureshi was arrested in January under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, following allegations of operating a meat plant without the necessary license.
Justice Raj Beer Singh, after examining the case under the provisions of Section 19(4) of the Gangster Act and considering the principle that an accused is
“presumed to be innocent till he is held guilty by a court of the competent jurisdiction,”
decided to grant Qureshi bail. The decision was influenced by the nature of the accusations, the evidence presented against Qureshi, and the fact that he had already been in detention for approximately seven months.
Background of the Case:
The initial report suggested that Qureshi was the head of a gang, with the co-accused being members of this group. The primary allegation was their involvement in the illegal storage and business of meat. The factory, named M/s Al Faheem Meatex Pvt. Ltd., was allegedly operating without a valid license, leading to a case being registered against them under Sections 417, 269, 270, 272, 273, and 120-B I.P.C.
Senior Advocate NI Jafri, representing Qureshi, refuted these allegations, stating that Qureshi neither led nor was a part of any gang. Jafri emphasized that the company was engaged in lawful meat-related business activities. He also highlighted that the company’s license renewal was pending at the time of the allegations. Jafri further argued that Qureshi was not involved in the company’s daily operations, and his implication in the case was due to political animosity, given that his wife and two sons, who are directors of the company, were the primary targets.
Contrarily, the state’s counsel argued against granting bail, suggesting that Qureshi wielded significant influence in the area, making locals hesitant to complain or testify against him. The invocation of the Gangster Act, they claimed, was after the due approval of a Gang Chart.
Court’s Decision:
After hearing both sides, the Court observed that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that Qureshi was involved in gang activities or had committed offenses under section 2(b) of the Gangster Act. The Court also took into account that Qureshi was not a director of the implicated company and that co-accused individuals, Imran Qureshi and Firoz, who are directors, had already been granted bail.
Reiterating the principle that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Court approved Qureshi’s bail plea. He is required to furnish a personal bond and two sureties of a similar amount to the satisfaction of the concerned court.
The case is titled “Yaqoob Qureshi vs. State of U.P [CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. – 25492 of 2023]” with the citation “2023 LiveLaw (AB) 306.”
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