Mumbai, February 24, 2022: The Sessions Court of Greater Bombay has denied bail to Mohammed Faizan Sayyed Shaikh, a 21-year-old resident of Kurla, Mumbai, who was accused in a case involving alleged cow meat smuggling and an assault on a volunteer working for an animal welfare NGO. The order was pronounced on February 15, 2022, by Additional Sessions Judge G.B. Gurao (C.R.17), who cited the seriousness of the offense and the ongoing investigation as reasons for the rejection of the bail plea.
Background of the Case
According to the prosecution, the case originated from an operation carried out on January 16, 2022, based on specific intelligence received by Pratik Nanaware, a volunteer for the Dhyan Foundation, an animal welfare organization headquartered in Delhi. Nanaware and his colleague Ashish, under the guidance of Animal Welfare Officer Yatin Jain, informed the Chunabhatti police about an alleged illegal cow meat smuggling operation.
The tip-off indicated that an Eicher tempo loaded with cow meat was en route to Kasaiwada for sale at the premises of a suspect named Aslam Qureshi, also referred to as “Mulla.” Acting on this information, the police, accompanied by the NGO volunteers, intercepted a suspicious white-colored pickup truck near Nagoba Chowk around 6:00 a.m. However, the tempo driver, identified as Mustaque, refused to provide any documentation proving the legitimacy of the transported goods.
As the police and volunteers continued their inspection, a golden Toyota Innova reportedly arrived at the scene, followed by a mob of 18-20 individuals wielding iron rods, sticks, and stones. The mob, allegedly led by Aslam Qureshi, became hostile towards the complainants and law enforcement officers.
Violent Mob Attack and Legal Charges
The prosecution contends that the mob violently assaulted Nanaware and his colleague Ashish, allegedly at the instigation of Aslam Qureshi. According to eyewitness accounts, Qureshi incited the mob by stating, “We will not spare them today. Everyone join in and beat them up. Let’s see who saves them.” The mob then launched a physical attack, severely injuring the victims. Ashish sustained grievous head injuries and had to be hospitalized at Sion Hospital as an indoor patient.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered at Chunabhatti police station under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 353 (assault on a public servant), Section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), Section 143 (unlawful assembly), Section 147 (rioting), Section 148 (rioting with a deadly weapon), and Section 149 (common object of unlawful assembly). Additionally, Sections 5(C) and 9(A) of the Maharashtra Animal Protection Act, 1995, were invoked against the accused.
Court’s Observations and Bail Denial
During the bail hearing, defense counsel Mateen Shaikh argued that the accused, Mohammed Faizan Sayyed Shaikh, was not involved in the crime and had been falsely implicated. The defense contended that the ingredients required to establish an offense under Section 307 IPC were absent, and the accused had no direct role in the attack. The defense also assured the court that the accused was a permanent resident of Kurla and was willing to comply with all bail conditions imposed by the court.
However, Additional Public Prosecutor Mr. Siroya opposed the bail application, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the ongoing nature of the investigation. He argued that releasing the accused at this stage could lead to witness intimidation and compromise the probe.
Intervener Pratik Nanaware, representing the NGO, further opposed the bail plea, alleging that the accused was involved in smuggling cow meat and that granting him bail would hinder the course of justice.
Judge’s Ruling
After reviewing the investigation report, statements from law enforcement officers, and photographic evidence, the court concluded that the accused played an active role in the crime. Judge Gurao noted that the accused was part of a violent mob that obstructed police action and physically attacked the complainants in their presence. The court also acknowledged the severity of the injuries sustained by Ashish, which were substantiated by medical reports from Sion Hospital.
Given the early stage of the investigation and the possibility of interference with witnesses, the court ruled that the accused was not entitled to bail.
Conclusion
With the rejection of the bail application, the accused remains in judicial custody as the investigation continues. The case has sparked widespread discussions on the growing incidents of violence linked to illegal animal trade and the risks faced by animal welfare activists. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are working to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob attack, with further legal proceedings expected in the coming months.
(This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.)
