Ahmedabad Court Denies Bail To 19-Year-Old In 400-Kg Illegal Beef Transport Case

An Ahmedabad Sessions Court has rejected the regular bail plea of 19-year-old Rahil Qureshi, who was arrested for allegedly transporting around 400 kg of illegal beef in an Innova car fitted with fake registration plates and possessing sharp weapons.

The court cited the seriousness of the allegations, the prima facie material against the accused and his previous criminal record while declining to release him on bail.

Police Allegedly Seize 400 Kg Of Meat, Weapons

According to the police case, Ranip police intercepted the Innova while it was allegedly being used to transport cattle meat valued at around ₹1 lakh.

During the search, officers allegedly recovered an iron chopper, two knives, an iron rod and two number plates bearing forged RTO registration details.

A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2017, and the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act.

Defence Says Accused Was Only A Passenger

Appearing for Qureshi, his lawyer argued that the accused was merely a passenger in the vehicle and neither owned the Innova nor had any control over it.

The defence also claimed that Qureshi had been falsely implicated on the basis of statements allegedly made by co-accused persons.

It further argued that most of the investigation had been completed and that the accused was willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court if granted bail.

Prosecution Calls Him Habitual Offender

The state opposed the bail application, relying on an affidavit filed by the investigating officer.

According to the prosecution, Qureshi has two previous cases registered against him involving alleged cattle slaughter and illegal meat trade. The state described him as a habitual offender and argued that his release could adversely affect the proceedings.

Court Finds Prima Facie Case

After considering the allegations, the material placed before it and the accused's criminal antecedents, the court concluded that releasing Qureshi at this stage would not be justified.

The court therefore rejected the regular bail application, allowing the accused to remain in custody as the case proceeds.