CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) -:1:- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (211) CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision:20.07.2026 MOSAM … Petitioner Versus STATE OF HARYANA ... Respondent -.- CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIRINDER AGGARWAL Present:- Mr. Arjun Atri, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Ramesh Kumar Ambavta, Addl. AG, Haryana. -.- VIRINDER AGGARWAL , J . (Oral) 1. The present petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) seeking the concession of anticipatory bail in FIR No. 155 dated 20.05.2026, registered under Sections 3, 13(1), 8, 13(3) and 17 of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, at Police Station Ferozepur Jhirka, District Nuh (Mewat), Haryana (Annexure P-1). 2. Briefly stated, the prosecution case is that on 19.05.2026, SI Yadram, along with other police officials, was present in Village Sakras on routine crime patrol duty when a secret informer approached him and furnished credible information to the effect that Mosam, Aslam, Salamu son of Sarif, and Himmat son of Jafru, all residents of Village Laturbas GAURAV SOROT 2026.07.21 09:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) -:2:- (Mahu), were allegedly engaged in the illegal business of cow slaughtering and were, at that very time, slaughtering cows in the fields situated within the jurisdiction of Ferozepur Jhirka. The informer further disclosed that, if an immediate raid was conducted, the said persons could be apprehended along with the implements and weapons used for the commission of the alleged offence. 2.1. Acting upon the aforesaid information, the police party promptly proceeded to the disclosed location and conducted a raid. However, on noticing the arrival of the police, the alleged accused persons managed to flee from the spot. During the search of the place of occurrence, the police allegedly recovered one motorcycle bearing registration No. HR-28M-2351, approximately 350 kilograms of beef, four severed legs of a cow, one severed head of a cow, together with alleged slaughtering implements, namely three knives, one axe, two plastic bags and one electronic weighing machine, all of which were taken into possession vide a duly prepared recovery memo. On the basis of the aforesaid recovery and the allegations contained in the secret information, the present FIR came to be registered and investigation was set into motion. It is the case of the prosecution that the accused persons have remained absconding and are yet to be apprehended. Hence, the present petition seeking the concession of anticipatory bail. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that the petitioner has been nominated on the basis of false and fabricated allegations and that no recovery is to be effected from him. It is GAURAV SOROT 2026.07.21 09:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) -:3:- further argued that his custodial interrogation is neither necessary nor warranted for the purpose of investigation and, therefore, he deserves the extraordinary discretionary relief of anticipatory bail. Accordingly, prayer has been made for grant of the concession of pre-arrest bail. 4. Per contra, learned State counsel has vehemently opposed the petition and submits that the petitioner is a habitual offender having criminal antecedents, inasmuch as he is already facing two criminal cases involving offences of a similar nature. It is further contended that the motorcycles recovered from the place of occurrence are owned by the close relatives of the petitioner, thereby prima facie connecting him with the alleged offence. Learned State counsel further submits that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is indispensable for the purpose of unearthing the larger conspiracy, identifying the other persons involved in the illegal activity, tracing the source and destination of the recovered contraband, and effecting the arrest of the remaining co-accused, who are still absconding. It is further argued that, in the event of the petitioner being granted the concession of anticipatory bail, there exists a strong likelihood of his indulging in similar criminal activities once again, particularly in view of his previous involvement in FIR No. 120 dated 18.03.2019, registered under Section 5/13(2) of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, Police Station Sadar Ferozepur Jhirka, District Nuh, and FIR No. 54 dated 07.02.2020, registered under Section 5/13(2) of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act read with Sections 11, 59 and 60 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Police Station Sadar Ferozepur Jhirka, District Nuh. GAURAV SOROT 2026.07.21 09:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) -:4:- Accordingly, it is prayed that the present petition, being devoid of merit, deserves dismissal. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the respective parties at considerable length and have carefully examined the paper book as well as the material available on record with their able assistance. 6. Having bestowed my thoughtful consideration upon the rival submissions and having perused the material placed on record, this Court is of the considered view that no case for grant of the extraordinary relief of anticipatory bail is made out. It is not disputed that the petitioner has previously been involved in two criminal cases of a similar nature, and his criminal antecedents constitute a relevant and significant factor while considering a petition seeking pre-arrest bail. The FIR in the present case was registered on the basis of specific secret information wherein the petitioner was expressly named as one of the persons allegedly involved in the commission of the offence. It is the consistent case of the prosecution that upon the police party conducting a raid, the petitioner and the other accused succeeded in escaping from the spot by taking advantage of the darkness. 6.1. The recovery allegedly effected from the place of occurrence is substantial, comprising approximately “350 kilograms of beef, four severed legs of a cow, one severed head of a cow, along with three knives, one axe, two plastic bags, one electronic weighing machine, and two motorcycles”, all of which prima facie lend credence to the prosecution version. The investigation is still at a crucial stage, the co-accused are yet to be apprehended, and the custodial interrogation of the petitioner appears GAURAV SOROT 2026.07.21 09:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-33500-2026 (O&M) -:5:- necessary for effectively unearthing the entire conspiracy, identifying all the persons involved, and taking the investigation to its logical conclusion. 6.2. Furthermore, in view of the petitioner's previous involvement in offences of an identical nature, the apprehension expressed by the prosecution that, if enlarged on anticipatory bail, the petitioner may again indulge in similar unlawful activities cannot be said to be unfounded or devoid of substance. The gravity of the allegations, coupled with the petitioner's antecedents and the requirement of custodial interrogation, disentitle him from claiming the discretionary and equitable relief of anticipatory bail. 6.3. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case lest it may prejudice either side during the course of trial or investigation, this Court is of the considered opinion that the petitioner does not deserve the concession of pre-arrest bail. Consequently, the present petition, being devoid of merit, is hereby dismissed. 7. In view of the final adjudication of the principal matter, all pending miscellaneous applications, if any, arising out of or ancillary to the present proceedings, shall also stand disposed of accordingly. No separate or further orders are called for in respect thereof, the same having been rendered infructuous in consequence of the present adjudication. ( VIRINDER AGGARWAL) 20.07.2026 JUDGE Gaurav Sorot Whether reasoned / speaking? Yes / No Whether reportable? Yes / No GAURAV SOROT 2026.07.21 09:16 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document