Forensic tests on meat served at the Hayat Rabbani hotel in the state of Rajasthan indicated it was, in fact, chicken, the Hindustan Times reports.

India has strict laws on the slaughter and consumption of cows, as they are revered by Hindus.

Mr Rabbani’s hotel was closed after cow vigilantes protested in front of it. The Indian Express reports that one member of the group had heard reports on WhatsApp of a “beef party” at the hotel, whatever that entails.

Mr Rabbani said the authorities had still not allowed him to reopen the hotel, despite a court order compelling them to do do.

Cow-revering vigilantes have become more prominent in India since 2014, when the right-wing, Hindu nationalist, Bharatiya Janata Party came to power.