Buffalo theft racket busted in Aligarh; 10 held

Agra: Ten persons, including a meat factory general manager, a purchasing officer and three security guards, were arrested on Friday for allegedly running an organised buffalo theft and illegal slaughter racket in Aligarh.Police said the accused targeted rural areas and village outskirts across multiple police station limits, stealing buffaloes and transporting them in a pick-up vehicle to a meat-processing factory, where the animals were slaughtered without valid documentation.The racket came to light after CCTV footage from theft locations and connecting routes revealed a pick-up vehicle with "Naveen The Gaddi" written on it. The vehicle was traced to a private export company under the Rorawar police station limits.During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing buffaloes from Khair, Tappal and other areas and, in collusion with factory staff, bringing them inside for illegal slaughter. Police said the proceeds were shared equally among those involved.Among those arrested were factory general manager Ravi Kumar, a native of Tamil Nadu; purchasing officer Siarik Ahmed of Prayagraj; liaison officer Tabrez; and three security guards. Eight of the arrested persons were employees of the factory.Aligarh SSP Neeraj Kumar Jadaun said a series of buffalo thefts had been reported across four police station areas and the probe was monitored at the SP (Rural) level. "A common link was identified in a vehicle used repeatedly to transport stolen animals. Acting on this lead, our teams traced the vehicle and dismantled the network," he said.Police found around 70 buffaloes at the factory, and verification is underway to ascertain how many were stolen. Investigators are also examining about half a dozen similar cases reported from nearby districts to determine possible links with the factory.A case has been registered under relevant sections, including Section 305 (theft) of BNS, and all 10 accused have been sent to jail.