Main accused in Mhow cow slaughter case arrested

Indore: Nearly four days after a cattle slaughter case was registered in Mhow’s Banda Basti area, police arrested the main accused, a proclaimed offender carrying a Rs 5,000 reward on his head, following a chase near Choral dam.

Bovine remains were allegedly found inside a shed belonging to Imran Khatkhat in Banda Basti village near Mhow on Friday, leading to mass protests.

Police registered a case under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, along with the Arms Act, against the shed owner, Imran Khatkhat and his associates.

Police said they received information on June 2 that Imran was hiding near Choral Dam. Acting on the tip-off, a team conducted a raid in the area. On spotting the police vehicle, the accused allegedly tried to escape and ran towards a culvert. In an attempt to evade arrest, he jumped off the structure in the darkness and sustained injuries to his legs.

He was taken to a hospital for medical examination before being formally arrested. After completing legal formalities, police produced him before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

Police had earlier arrested his associates Kadir and Anwar, whereas Kalla was arrested on May 30. Officials said detention orders under the NSA were issued on June 2 against Kadir and Kalla for allegedly hurting communal and religious sentiments.

Police records show that Imran has a criminal history, with around 10 cases registered against him at Mhow, Kishanganj, Badgonda and Annapurna police stations. The cases include charges related to assault, cattle slaughter, possession of illegal weapons and rioting. He was also detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in April last year.