Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has set aside an FIR filed by Mapusa Police against two individuals accused of illegal extraction and storage of meat, ruling that the allegations did not meet the legal requirements of the offences invoked.
In an order passed on Monday, Justice Ashish Chavan quashed proceedings against Meerasab Bepari and Appalal Bepari, who had been booked under Sections 271 and 280 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Section 8 of the Goa Animal Preservation Act, 1995.
The case dates back to October 29, 2024, when police acted on a complaint about suspected unlawful meat-related activity at the petitioners’ residence. A crowd had gathered outside the premises, following which a search was conducted. During the operation, authorities seized meat, animal fat and certain utensils. However, forensic examination later established that the meat and fat were from buffalo.
While reviewing the matter, the court noted that the charge under Section 271 of the BNS, which pertains to acts likely to spread infectious diseases, was not supported by any claim or evidence suggesting a risk of infection. Likewise, the allegation under Section 280—relating to creating a harmful or noxious environment—was found to be unsubstantiated, with no indication that public health had been affected.
On the applicability of the Goa Animal Preservation Act, the court observed that the prosecution had failed to allege or demonstrate that any prohibited animal was slaughtered or that beef was being illegally sold from the premises, as required under the relevant provisions of the law.
The High Court further relied on the Supreme Court’s guidelines in the State of Haryana vs Bhajan Lal case, which outline circumstances where criminal proceedings can be quashed. Concluding that the present case fell within those parameters, the bench allowed the petition and annulled the FIR.
