Mhow (Madhya Pradesh): A 25-year-old auto rickshaw driver, identified as Moin Khan was apprehended on Friday near Umariya village toll plaza for allegedly transporting beef. The arrest followed a tip-off received by saffron activists, who intercepted the vehicle around 10:30 am.
Upon receiving information from them, Kishanganj police arrived at the scene and took Khan into custody. They also seized his rickshaw and the meat found inside.
According to Kishanganj Station House Officer (SHO) Kuldip Khatri, a case has been registered against the driver under relevant sections of Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Pratishedh Adhiniyam (Madhya Pradesh Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act). Samples of seized meat were promptly sent to the Government Veterinary Polyclinic in Mhow for confirmation.
Dr Rakesh Singh Sisodiya, in-charge of the polyclinic, later confirmed that the meat was indeed of bovine origin, leading to the addition of sections related to cow slaughter in the first information report (FIR). Police are currently interrogating Khan to uncover his network and the location where animals were allegedly slaughtered.
He is expected to be produced in court on Saturday. The incident highlights stringent laws in Madhya Pradesh regarding cow slaughter and the active role of vigilante groups in enforcing them.
Online sources indicate that Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, enacted in 2004 and amended subsequently, imposes strict penalties for cow slaughter, including imprisonment and fines. The act also prohibits transportation and possession of beef.
This is not an isolated incident in Kishanganj area. SHO Khatri mentioned that a similar seizure occurred approximately three months ago when a large quantity of beef was recovered from a SUV.
Furthermore, police have made three such seizures in the same area within the past year, suggesting a persistent issue of illegal cow slaughter and transportation in the region. The latest incident underscores ongoing efforts by both law enforcement and vigilante groups to curb such activities in and around Mhow.
