Mere possession and transportation of cows is not an offence under the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act

The Allahabad High Court, while granting bail to an applicant accused of cow slaughter under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 (Act), observed that mere possession or transportation of a cow does not amount to an offence and also cannot, by itself, amount to abetting/attempting/committing an offence under the Act. There was no evidence of any physical injury on any cow or its progeny that endangered life and, therefore, the applicant was granted bail.