Bhopal municipal body seals slaughterhouse after report confirms 26 tonnes of seized meat as beef; 12 officials suspended, SIT formed

BHOPAL: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) on January 8, sealed the Jehangirabad slaughterhouse after a forensic report confirmed that the seized container truck carried prohibited meat (Beef).The action followed an incident on December 17, when members of a Hindu organisation intercepted a container truck loaded with meat near the Police Headquarters in the Jehangirabad police station area. The container carried 26.5 tonnes of meat. The activists alleged that the consignment contained banned meat and was transported for supply outside the state and possibly abroad. They staged a protest on Thursday.Police seized the container and the meat packets and sent samples for forensic examination to the forensic lab at Veterinary College, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh). The forensic report, received on January 7, confirmed that the meat was of a cow or its progeny, which is prohibited under law.Following the confirmation, the Jehangirabad police registered a case against the slaughterhouse operator Aslam Qureshi, truck driver Shoaib, along with others involved.SIT formed to investigate the caseLater, on January 19, Bhopal Police Commissioner constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT will be led by ACP Umesh Tiwari and will include 2 SHOs, SHO Jehangirabad and SHO Shahpura, along with their teams. The team will investigate the source of the meat and identify all individuals involved in the alleged illegal meat trafficking racket.Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to thoroughly probe the case. He said the team will examine all facts related to the incident, including the background of the individuals involved, their possible links, and whether they have any previous criminal records. The investigation will cover all aspects of the case to ascertain the complete chain and involvement of those connected to the matter.Police officials said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. At present, preparations are underway to question close associates of Aslam Qureshi, who operated the slaughterhouse. Police said that the probe will also include questioning the BMC officials involved in the slaughterhouse.Truck intercepted late at nightAccording to police, the container truck bearing a UP registration number was intercepted late on the night of December 17 near the Mahila Thana beside Lal Parade Ground. The spot is located close to PHQ. The activists alleged that banned meat was transported from the Jinsi municipal slaughterhouse and supplied to different parts of the country and abroad.Upon receiving information, police reached the spot and seized the container and meat packets. Veterinary doctors from the Veterinary Hospital in Jehangirabad collected samples, which were sent to the Mathura forensic laboratory for examination.Police investigation also revealed that the seized consignment was linked to the BMC-operated Jinsi slaughterhouse, following which the civic body sealed the facility. Police said further investigation is underway.12 officials and employees of Bhopal Municipal Corporation were including a veterinarian were suspended.A case was registered under Sections 4, 5 and 9 of the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is in progress.