Four of a family held for cow slaughter, eating beef in MP

Times News Network
Bhopal: Four members of a family were arrested on on suspicion of slaughtering and consuming beef in Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.
The incident triggered tension in the locality after some right wing organisation supporters gathered at Bhind's Ron police station, around 35 km from the district headquarters, pressing for a strict action against the accused.Timely action by the police averted an untoward incident, said sources. Bhind ASP Amrat Meena said the incident took place on Monday night and four members of a family have been arrested following a complaint lodged by village chowkidar.
Accused Lalla Khan, 60, Mustaq Khan, 61, Samshad Khan, 62 and Salamat Khan, 55, all residents of Nodha village, were charged under Sections 4 and 5 of the Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Vadh Pratishedh Act and Section 429 (maiming cattle) of IPC. Investigations revealed the accused had captured and slaughtered a seven-month-old calf of a farmer, Antar Singh Rajawat, after it strayed into their farm. They distributed the meat among the family members and cooked it the same day.
"We have confiscated remains of the calf from their house, which is a strong evidence to prove the offence," said the ASP. Madhya Pradesh government had amended its law against cow slaughter in 2012, raising the maximum punishment to seven years in jail. The law bans the practice of killing cow and progeny and if arrested, the burden of proof lies on accused.