Ahmedabad: A city sessions court in Ahmedabad sentenced Qayum Qureshi to eight years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined him Rs 2 lakh for possessing and selling beef. The court, however, acquitted the second accused Asif Shaikh alias Badshah, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish his alleged role as the supplier.On May 5, 2020, Isanpur police raided a shop at Faisal Park near Chandola Lake and found Qureshi selling beef without a licence or lawful authority. Police seized 65 kg of meat valued at Rs 10,400, along with knives, cutting implements, weighing scales and other articles. Forensic analysis confirmed that the meat was of cow-progeny origin (beef). Police also booked Badshah on the charges of supplying beef to Qureshi. Both accused were charged under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, 2017 for cow slaughter and possession of beef.The court acquitted Qureshi of charges relating to slaughtering an animal. But by relying on the forensic report and other evidence, the court convicted him of possession and sale of beef.Sessions judge S R Sangani ruled out the possibility of granting the benefit of probation to Qureshi by considering his act as an “anti-social offence”. The court considered his disadvantaged economic background and family responsibilities, but said the offence had been committed deliberately for financial gains.The court said, “The offense committed by accused Nos. 1 (Qureshi) was not done in the heat of passion or under provocation; rather, he was found selling beef in his possession, having acted deliberately for financial gain. Being adult, he was well aware of the nature of his action and the potential consequences.”
