Allahabad HC Grants Bail To A Man Accused Of Unnatural Sex With A Cow

The Allahabad High Court granted bail to a 70-year-old man accused of having unnatural sex with a cow. The accused, identified as Ram Khelawan, filed a petition at the court challenging the cases registered against him under Sections 377 (unnatural sex), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. 

A Bench of Justice Jaspreet Singh granted the bail by saying that there is no intention of the accused to misuse the bail and flee the justice. The judge added, "Considering the rival submissions as well as the facts and circumstances of the case and the material available on record, as well as the nature of allegations and accusations against the applicant, the severity of the punishment if convicted and the period of incarceration, as well as the fact that no apprehension has been expressed by the learned AGA that the applicant is at risk of fleeing justice or that he would tamper with evidence or influence any witness, hence, at this stage, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is of the view that the applicant is entitled to be released on bail." 

How was the accused implicated in the case?

The complainant filed a FIR against the accused after the latter violated his cow. According to the FIR, the accused was taking care of the complainant's cow. On July 30, 2023, an unknown individual recorded footage of the accused having unnatural intercourse with the cow and presented it to the complainant, who got suspicious of the accused's actions and filed a FIR against him. The accused has been in custody since July 23, 2023.

The counsel for the accused, however, said that he was innocent and was falsely implicated in the case. He argued that the 70-year-old man, a senior citizen, had no previous criminal record. The counsel also said that there was nothing on record to prove that the accused was arrested on the basis of the video.

The counsel went on to say that the accused has been in custody since July 23, 2023, and is therefore eligible for bail. The counsel stated that the accused would neither run after being granted bail nor would he tamper with the evidence. He won't misuse the bail granted to him, the counsel stated.

Considering the above proceedings, the court granted bail.