14 Arrested in Chhattisgarh Cow Slaughter Case, Main Accused Nabbed in Nagpur
Three suspects, including the main accused, have been arrested in connection with a cow slaughter incident in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.
Ejaz Ahmed, the main accused, was arrested in Nagpur, while two women were detained in Gaurinagar.
The total number of arrests in the case has reached 14, with ongoing investigations into the illegal trade.
CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying suspects linked to the cow slaughter.
In a significant development, police in Chhattisgarh have apprehended three individuals connected to the alleged slaughter of cattle in Rajnandgaon district. The main suspect, identified as Ejaz Ahmed, also known as Kasai or Vakil Ansari, was arrested in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Alongside him, two women, Khairun Nisha, aged 60, and Naseema Begum, alias Rani, aged 57, were taken into custody from Gaurinagar. These arrests follow a thorough search operation led by the Chikhli police and the Cyber Cell, aimed at locating absconding suspects since the crime was reported.
The incident came to light when severed cow heads were discovered near Sheetla Talab and an under-construction railway underbridge on October 12 and 14, respectively. This sparked outrage among local residents and Hindu organizations, prompting protests at the sites. Demonstrators expressed their anger by blocking roads and staging a sit-in outside the Kotwali police station, where they recited prayers to voice their discontent. In response to the public outcry, police initiated a special investigation team to delve deeper into the case.
As of now, a total of 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Earlier, on October 17, 10 suspects, including a minor girl, were taken into custody, followed by three more arrests on October 18. The police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, as well as the Arms Act. Investigators are working to uncover the full extent of the alleged illegal activities and the roles of all involved.
The investigation gained momentum when CCTV footage revealed unidentified individuals taking cattle from the roadside late at night. This crucial evidence led to the detention of Abdul Aleem, a Gaurinagar resident, along with his family members. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to participating in the slaughter and disposal of cow remains, which further implicated several others, including Salman Khan and Mohammad Sakir Khan.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to ascertain the complete network behind this illegal operation and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable. The case has raised significant concerns within the community, especially given its occurrence during the Navratri festival, highlighting the need for stringent measures against such acts of cruelty.
