On the intervening night of 24th and 25th January, Bhojpur and Civil Lines police in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, arrested five individuals involved in illegal cow slaughter following two encounters. The accused have been identified as Mursaleen, Mohammad Hasnain alias Builder, Yameen, Zeeshan, and Junaid. Reports suggest that these individuals were operating a cow slaughter racket under the guise of daily wage labourers.
थाना भोजपुर क्षेत्र में निर्माणआधीन हाईवे से चट्ठा पुल पर पुलिस टीम पर फायरिंग कर भागने वाले 03 अभियुक्तगणो को PCR की सूचना पर गिरफ्तार करने के प्रयास मे भोजपुर पुलिस @moradabadpolice से हुई मुठभेड़, तथा मुठभेड में पुलिस की जवाबी कार्यवाही मे 02 अभियुक्तगण को किया गिरफ्तार। pic.twitter.com/D7GphgVyhN
— MORADABAD POLICE (@moradabadpolice) January 25, 2025
Reportedly, Mursaleen and Hasnain were apprehended in Bhojpur. On the other hand, the remaining three were arrested by the Civil Lines police. Two of the accused, Yameen and Zeeshan, sustained gunshot injuries during the encounters and were sent to hospital for treatment.
FIR registered under arms act and anti-cow slaughter laws
The FIR against the accused has been registered under Sections 109(1) BNS, 3/25/27 of the Arms Act, and relevant provisions of laws prohibiting cow slaughter. Police also invoked sections addressing criminal conspiracy, based on the accused’s confessions about their organised operations and involvement in supplying illegal meat.
➡️मुरादाबाद एसओजी व थाना सिविल लाईन्स व थाना भोजपुर पुलिस द्वारा 05 गौतस्करो को पुलिस मुठभेड़ में गिरफ्तार किया गया । #MoradabadPolice#UPPInNews#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/hj9Ra88fze
— MORADABAD POLICE (@moradabadpolice) January 26, 2025
The accused’s confessions reveal an organised racket
During interrogation, the accused told the police that they received specific orders for cow meat. They often supplied meat to cater for events such as weddings or private gatherings. The accused acted on such demand, targeting stray cattle during the night. They would take the animals to secluded jungle areas to slaughter them and then transport the meat to the specified locations using vehicles. The most recent slaughter was carried out on 19th January.
Mursaleen and Hasnain revealed that a man named Azizur Rahman, a resident of Mohalla Jama Masjid in Bhojpur, coordinated the operations. He was responsible for securing orders and directing where the meat needed to be delivered. The accused further admitted to using their daytime wage-labour activities as a cover to avoid suspicion.
Details of the encounters and arrests
The first encounter took place at around 10:30 PM on 24th January in the Civil Lines area. Yameen, Zeeshan, and Junaid were intercepted by the police. When asked to surrender, they allegedly opened fire at the police. One of the bullets hits a police officer but he was saved because of the bullet proof jacket he was wearing. The police retaliated, and as a result, Yameen and Zeeshan sustained bullet injuries in their legs. Junaid was apprehended unhurt.
The second encounter took place near the Chadda Bridge in the Bhojpur police station area after the police received an alert from the PCR. Both accused attempted to flee on a black Apache motorcycle but were cornered by the police. They opened fire in a bid to escape, prompting the police to retaliate. Both sustained injuries in their legs before being overpowered. Their accomplice, Farman, managed to escape into the jungle and is currently absconding.
Seizures and recovered items
During the operation, police recovered two country-made pistols (315 bore and 12 bore), live cartridges, blood-stained soil, and a black Apache motorcycle used by the accused. Items linked to the illegal cow slaughter racket were also seized.
Ongoing investigation and search for absconding accused
Speaking to the media, police stated that a manhunt is underway to apprehend Farman, who fled the scene. They confirmed that the racket is part of a larger operation targeting stray cattle for slaughter and illegal meat supply. Police teams are also tracking Azizur Rahman, the alleged mastermind behind the racket.
The arrested individuals were presented before a court and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
