Recently, the Allahabad High Court strongly criticized the State Police for their inadequate efforts in investigating the FIRs filed under the U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, expressing clear dissatisfaction with their handling of the cases.

Additionally, the Court noted a concerning trend: despite a statewide prohibition on cow slaughter, instances of such acts are on the rise. Furthermore, the UP Police appears to maintain a lenient stance whenever an FIR is filed in these cases, displaying a flexible approach that has raised significant concerns.

During the hearing of an anticipatory bail plea filed by Saif Ali Khan, a bench led by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav made these observations. Khan was reportedly found in possession of 1.5 quintals of cow flesh in 2019, leading to his booking under Sections 3, 5, and 8 of the 1955 Act.

However, as the investigation into the FIR remains incomplete even to this day, the High Court issued a directive. It ordered the Police Commissioner of Prayagraj to appear before the Court on November 30, accompanied by an affidavit. The affidavit should include a comprehensive report detailing the number of cow slaughter cases registered in the Prayagraj district since 2019 and specifically outline the status of ongoing investigations into these cases.

The Court further highlighted daily cases related to cow slaughter despite the existing ban in Uttar Pradesh. Despite clear prohibitions, the state continues to witness instances of cow slaughter. The Court expressed concern over the apparent lack of timely intervention in preventing these incidents, attributing it to what seems like a lack of seriousness on the part of the police department in handling such crucial matters. This leniency, the Court suggested, directly benefits the perpetrators, bolstering their confidence and morale.