2025:UHC:10975 I N THE HI GH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAI NI TAL THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTI CE ALOK KUMAR VERMA 1 0 TH DECEMBER, 2 0 2 5 FI RST BAI L APPLI CATI ON NO. 2 3 6 4 of 2 0 2 5 Azeem Qureshi ..…Applicant Versus State of Uttarakhand and Others ..…Respondents Counsel for the Applicant : Mr. Mohd. Imran, Advocate Counsel for the Respondent : Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, Brief Nos.1 and 2 Holder. Hon ’ble Alok Ku m ar Ver m a,J. The applicant – Azeem Qureshi is in judicial custody for the offence punishable under Section 3 read with Section 11(1) of the Uttarakhand Protection of Cow Progeny Act, 2007 in Case Crime No.237 of 2025, registered at Police Station Kichha, District Udham Singh Nagar. 2 . According to the First Information Report, on 31.07.2025, a dead body of a cow was found in the field of the informant. The informant got information that Azeem Qureshi and his 2-3 associates had slaughtered the cow and put it in his field. 3 . Heard Mr. Mohd. Imran, learned counsel for the applicant and Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, learned Brief Holder for the respondent nos.1 and 2. 4 . Mr. Mohd. Imran, Advocate, appearing for the 1 2025:UHC:10975 applicant contended that the applicant has been falsely implicated by the informant. Applicant was not involved in the alleged offence. He has no criminal antecedents. He is a permanent resident of District Udham Singh Nagar, therefore, there is no possibility of his absconding, and, he is in custody since 12.11.2025. 5 . Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, Brief Holder, has opposed the bail application orally. 6 . Bail is the rule and committal to jail is an exception. Refusal of bail is a restriction on the personal liberty of the individual, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The object of keeping the accused person in detention during the investigation is not punishment. The main purpose is manifestly to secure the attendance of the accused. 7 . Having considered the submissions of learned counsel for both the parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case, no reason is found to keep the applicant behind the bars for an indefinite period, therefore, without expressing any opinion as to the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant deserves bail at this stage. 8 . The Bail Application is allowed. 9 . Let the applicant – Azeem Qureshi be 2 2025:UHC:10975 released on bail on his executing a personal bond and furnishing two reliable sureties, each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court concerned. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ ALOK KUMAR VERMA, J. Dt: 10.12.2025 Pant/ 3