Chandigarh, Aug. 27 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court has dismissed anticipatory bail to a man, accused of transporting cows for slaughter, saying that cow has a unique status in Indian society and that the crime can have serious repercussions for maintenance of public peace. Aasif (goes by one name), the petitioner from Haryana's Mewat district, was booked for offences under the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act and Prevention of Cruelty Act on April 3, 2025. Police said two cows were recovered from a pick-up truck in which Aasif was travelling in Mewat on April 3. It claimed that the animals were being taken to Rajasthan for slaughter. The police also claimed that Aasif was also named in at least three similar First Information Reports (FIRs) registered at other police stations). "Thus, his custodial interrogation was imperative for fair and effective investigation," the government counsel said, seeking Aasif's custody. "The present offence, apart from its legal implications, is laden with emotional and cultural undertones, given the unique status of the cow in Indian society. This court cannot remain oblivious to the fact that in a pluralistic society like ours, certain acts, while otherwise private, can have severe repercussions for public peace when they offend the deeply held beliefs of a significant population group," a bench of justice Sandeep Moudgil said. The court said in the wake of the petitioner's "criminal antecedents" and the grave and serious nature of the allegations in the FIR, he cannot be given interim protection. Aasif moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail after a trial court in Mewat denied him anticipatory bail on April 22. Following this, he moved the high court, contending that the driver of the pick-up truck was given bail by the trial court on April 22. However, his petition for the same relief was denied, he argued. In his petition, Aasif said no recovery was pending on his behalf, and therefore, custodial interrogation was not warranted. He submitted that he was ready to join the investigation and cooperate with the investigating agency as and when required....