Cow sacred in India: Gujarat High Court denies bail to man accused of illegal cow slaughter

The Gujarat High Court recently denied bail to a man accused of illegal cow slaughter and beef transportation after noting that he had allegedly continued committing similar offences despite facing eight similar previous criminal cases [Mohammad Aarif Abdul Razal Samol v State of Gujarat].

Justice Hasmukh D Suthar passed the order on June 18 while rejecting the bail application of one Mohammad Aarif Abdul Razal Samol, who was arrested in January this year.

The Court held that his alleged conduct showed a pattern of reoffending and that the larger public interest outweighed his request for release on bail.

"The antecedents of the applicant indicate a recurring pattern of conduct and, prima facie, demonstrate misuse of the liberty granted by the Court. In the facts of the present case, the societal interest outweighs the claim of the applicant for grant of regular bail," said the Court.

The Court also highlighted the broader social impact of the alleged offences.

"The Court cannot be oblivious to the fact that the cow is regarded as sacred and worthy of protection by a substantial section of Indian society, including members of the Hindu and Jain communities. Repeated involvement in offences of the present nature is capable of hurting public sentiments and creating social tension in the locality. The object of the legislation is to preserve and protect cow progeny and, therefore, repeated involvement in such offences after having been enlarged on bail cannot be lightly ignored," it said.

According to the police, they received information in December 2025 that the accused, Samol, had transported beef in a car and stored it in a plot next to his house. When officers raided the spot, three other suspects allegedly ran away.

The police submitted that they recovered around 23 kilograms of suspected beef packed in plastic bags, along with a knife, a weighing scale and other items allegedly used for slaughtering and selling beef.

Before the High Court, Samol argued that he had been in jail since January 3, 2026. He submitted that the investigation had been completed and the chargesheet had already been filed. He contended that he should be granted bail as nothing more remained to be recovered from him and the trial was likely to take a long time.

The State opposed his plea, telling the Court that Samol was a habitual offender with eight previous cases involving similar allegations. It also pointed out that three co-accused were still absconding and alleged that he had continued engaging in similar activities even after being granted bail in earlier cases.

After examining the case records, the Court observed,

"Prima facie, the allegations disclose repeated involvement of the applicant in offences relating to illegal slaughter and transportation of cow progeny. Such activities not only defeat the object and purpose of the legislation but also have the potential to adversely affect public order and communal harmony."

The Court, therefore, rejected Samol's bail plea.

However, the Court added that the trial should not be unnecessarily delayed. It directed the trial court to make all possible efforts to expedite the proceedings. It also asked the prosecution to ensure that material witnesses are examined at the earliest.

Advocate Altaf Y Charkha appeared for Samol (bail applicant).

Additional Public Prosecutor Shruti Pathak represented the State.

[Read Order]