Giving way bail to a man jailed over cow-killing allegations, the Allahabad High Court has expressed concern over what it called the frequent misuse of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and its implication on innocent persons in such cases, pointing out that accused persons continue in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all. The court also noted that in a number of cases, meat found by the authorities was presented as beef without it being analyzed by experts.

while hearing the bail application of a man called Rahmuddin, who has been in jail since August 5 on cow slaughter charges, the court said that whenever any meat is recovered, it is normally shown as cow meat or beef without getting it examined or analyzed by the Forensic Laboratory. In most of the cases, the meat is not sent for analysis. Accused persons continue in jail for an offence that may not have been committed at all.

The court raised questions about how cows were treated by their owners, mentioning many were often left to fend for themselves and wander the roads. The stray cows that are recovered by the state do not have proper documentation and one does not know where the cows go after,  the court said.

Muslim youth dies in Jharkhand for protesting against cow slaughter