Three Accused Walk Free As Maharashtra Court Questions Evidence In Cattle Slaughter Case

A court in Maharashtra’s Alibag has acquitted three men accused in a 2018 cattle slaughter case, observing that the evidence presented by the prosecution created serious doubts and that the police investigation suffered from procedural shortcomings. The court noted contradictions in witness statements regarding the collection of seized meat samples and said the raid was not conducted in accordance with mandatory legal provisions. Chief Judicial Magistrate D M Zate delivered the judgment on Wednesday, acquitting Alibag residents Abdul Sayyad, Sharafat Faki and Idris Chaudhary in the case registered under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act (MAPA).

While Sayyad and Chaudhary were out on bail during the trial, Faki died before the proceedings concluded. The case dates back to July 2018, when police booked the three accused under provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which includes penalties for offences related to prohibited cattle slaughter and possession of certain animal products. The law provides for imprisonment of up to five years for violations. According to the prosecution’s case, police conducted raids at the residences of the accused and allegedly recovered around 75 kg of cattle flesh along with six knives, including two sharp-edged weapons, plastic sheets and weighing scales.

Investigators claimed that samples collected from the seized material were sent for forensic examination. The prosecution informed the court that the Forensic Sciences Laboratory had confirmed that the seized samples were cow flesh. However, while examining the evidence, the court found inconsistencies in the statements of prosecution witnesses regarding the process followed for collecting and handling the samples. The court pointed out that the evidence related to the seizure and sampling procedure contained material contradictions.

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It observed that the police action did not comply with mandatory provisions under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, raising concerns about the legality of the investigation process. The judgment stated that the alleged raid and seizure had legal infirmities and that the shortcomings in the evidence created reasonable doubt. Based on these findings, the court concluded that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against the accused beyond the required legal standard.

The acquittal highlights the importance of proper investigation procedures and adherence to legal requirements in criminal cases. Courts rely not only on the claims made by investigating agencies but also on whether evidence has been collected and presented according to established legal standards. The ruling does not examine the broader debate surrounding cattle protection laws but focuses on the specific evidence and procedures involved in this case. With the court finding deficiencies in the prosecution’s evidence, the three accused were acquitted of the charges filed against them.

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