Punjab & Haryana HC Denies Bail to Man Accused of Selling Beef, Cites 'Ploy' Defense

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a 62-year-old man accused of illegally possessing beef.
• Justice Aradhana Sawhney stated that the accused's claim of being misled by sellers was a 'clever ploy and an afterthought' to escape criminal liability.
• The case involves charges under Section 299 BNS (insulting religious sentiments) and Section 8 of the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.
• Forensic analysis by the National Meat Research Institute in Hyderabad confirmed the seized meat was from a 'bull' or 'ox', contradicting the accused's claim of buffalo meat.
• The court emphasized the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the wider network involved in cow slaughter and meat distribution.

Why It Matters: Punjab & Haryana HC denied anticipatory bail to a man accused of selling beef, calling his defense a 'ploy'.