The Allahabad High Court in the case observed and has expressed its strong displeasure over the State Police’s laxity in investigating the FIRs which is registered under the U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.
The bench headed by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav in the case was hearing the anticipatory bail plea moved by one Saif Ali Khan who was allegedly found with 1.5 quintals of cow flesh in the year 2019 and was booked under section 3, section 5 and section 8 of the 1955 Act.
The court in the case observed that despite a state-wide ban on cow slaughter, such kind of cases are increasing and whenever an FIR is lodged in such cases, the UP Police adopts a flexible attitude about it.
The court noted that the probe in the FIR has not been completed to date, thus, it has been directed by the High Court that the Police Commissioner, Prayagraj to remain present before the Court on November 30 along with an affidavit containing a report as to how many cases of cow slaughter have been registered in the Prayagraj district since 2019 and how many such cases are still being investigated.
The court in its order stated that the police Commissioner, Prayagraj will be personally present before this court with an affidavit, otherwise, the Home Secretary of the State Government will have to remain present before the said court in person with an affidavit along with a status report of the FIRs lodged in these cases statewide since 2019, otherwise the said court will be forced to pass an order against them.
It has also been noted by the court that such cases come before the court every day, even though there is a ban on cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh, despite this, cows are being slaughtered in the state. Adding to it, the court stated that such incidents are not being stopped on time, as it seems that the police department is not serious in such matters which directly benefits such criminals and increases their morale.