Allahabad HC Grants Bail To Trustees Of Some Organisations Accused Of Issuing 'Halal Certificates'

A Bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia held, “considering the fact that the co-accused have been granted interim protection against arrest against whom similar allegations were leveled coupled with the fact that the applicants and the trust run by them have undertaken before this Court that they would not be issuing any certificate of the nature issued so far, if enlarged on bail till the date a proper authorization either by the Central or by the State Government is granted to them in accordance with law, the applicants are enlarged on bail. Accordingly, the bail application is allowed.”

Advocate Vikas Vikram Singh appeared for the Applicants and AAG V.K. Shahi appeared for the Respondents.

The applicants' counsel argued that the applicants had cooperated with authorities, responding to notices under Section 91 of the Cr.P.C., and were subsequently arrested despite their cooperation. Additionally, they highlighted the ongoing challenge to the authority to issue Halal certificates and relevant notifications before the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, the prosecution contended that the actions of the applicants' trust encroached upon sovereign functions, potentially destabilizing the economy. However, they acknowledged the absence of criminal antecedents for the applicants.

The Court granted bail to the applicants, citing the interim protection granted to co-accused individuals facing similar allegations.

Cause Title: Muhammed Tahir Zakir Chauhan & Ors. v. State of U.P. & Ors., [2024:AHC-LKO:36982]

Appearance:

Applicants: Advocates Naved Ali, Vikas Vikdram Singh, Sumedha Sen, Syed Mehfuzur Rehman

Respondents: Advovates V.K. Shahi, Anurag Verma, Shailendra Sharma, Shitesh Jha