NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed an FIR registered against two Mapusa residents in an alleged illegal meat case, holding that no offence was made out.
The petitioners, Meerasab Bepari and Appalal D Bepari of Mapusa, stated that on October 29, 2024, a group of around 40 unidentified persons, along with some media personnel, barged into their residence claiming to be officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and conducted an inspection of the premises.
They stated that they were dragged and beaten by
the mob.
They further stated that the police later arrived and managed to pacify and disperse the crowd. Following the incident, the petitioners filed a complaint at Mapusa Police Station.
The FIR was registered by Mapusa Police based on allegations that the accused were involved in illegal storage and processing of cow meat. Police had conducted a search of the premises on October 29, 2024, after a mob gathered outside the house over the allegations, and seized meat, fat-like substances and equipment.
After examining the evidence, the court observed that there was no material to establish illegal slaughter of protected animals, sale of prohibited meat, or any act posing a risk to public health.
