The Bombay High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Salim Ibrahim Shaikh, who was accused of selling cow meat in violation of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976.

The bench of Justice Rajesh Patil, while allowing Shaikh’s bail plea, noted that there was no recovery of cow meat as alleged by the police, and the forensic report on the seized meat was still pending.

"The report of Dr. Anita Kodibhau Date, the Veterinary Officer of Badlapur, District Thane, will take some time. No such recovery remains to be made from the applicant. While the applicant has past criminal antecedents, he has been granted bail in those cases. Given these circumstances, the purpose would be served by granting pre-arrest bail with stringent conditions, including a restriction on engaging in such business activities in the future," Justice Patil observed.

The case arose after police from Central Police Station in Thane's Ulhasnagar raided Shaikh’s mutton and beef shop based on a tip-off. During the raid, the police seized 110 kilograms of alleged beef from the premises. Under Maharashtra law, the sale of cow meat is prohibited, whereas buffalo meat remains legal.

Shaikh, a licensed butcher authorized to sell mutton and buffalo meat, asserted that the seized meat was buffalo, not cow. To substantiate his claim, he submitted a purchase receipt indicating that the meat was procured from a buffalo. The sample was sent for forensic examination, and the report is still awaited.

During the hearing, Shaikh’s counsel argued that there was no need for his arrest since no further recovery was required, and the co-accused had already been granted bail. The accused also assured the court of his willingness to comply with any conditions imposed.

The Additional Public Prosecutor opposed the bail plea, citing Shaikh’s prior criminal records and arguing that granting him bail could lead to further illegal activities related to the sale of prohibited meat.

After reviewing the submissions, Justice Patil granted anticipatory bail to Shaikh. In the event of his arrest, he will be released on a personal recognizance bond of ₹30,000 with one or two sureties of the same amount.

Advocate Rohan Hogle, along with Advocate Aadesh Konde Deshmukh, instructed by Advocate Sharan Bhagat, appeared for the accused. Additional Public Prosecutor Pallavi N Dabholkar represented the State.