India, July 31 -- A court in Maharashtra's Alibag has acquitted three men, including one who died during trial, in a 2018 cattle slaughter case, saying the evidence presented "created serious doubt". It said the police raid in which 75 kg of "cow flesh" was allegedly seized was not in accordance with statutory provisions and suffered from legal infirmity.

Alibag residents Abdul Sayyad, Sharafat Faki and Idris Chaudhary were booked in the case in July 2018 under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act (MAPA), which provides for up to five years' imprisonment. Sayyad and Chaudhary were released on bail while Faki died while the trial was pending.

Chief Judicial Magistrate DM Zate cited material contradictions in the evidence o...