‘Let it go, settle the matter,’ officials urged:How Hindu organisation workers intercepted 26 tonnes of cow meat; police and civic authorities under scrutiny

The alleged smuggling of 26 tonnes of cow meat in Bhopal has brought the role of the police and civic authorities under scrutiny. The prime accused, Aslam Chamda, has been taken into police remand, with investigators seeking to establish the source of the consignment, which officials say is equivalent to the meat of about 260 cattle. Beyond the arrest, attention has turned to the sequence of events on the night of December 17–18, when members of the Jai Bhavani Hindu Organisation intercepted the container carrying the meat. The organisation’s president, Bhanu Hindu, has alleged that he and his associates faced resistance from officials at multiple levels and that the verification process was delayed for nearly 20 days. Mr. Bhanu has now narrated, step by step, how the truck was tracked, stopped and handed over to the police, and the subsequent developments that followed. Intelligence inputs and tracking According to Mr. Bhanu, his organisation had received information over several days about the alleged illegal movement of cow meat from the municipal slaughterhouse at Jahangirabad. He claimed that Aslam Chamda was operating a network under the cover of collecting carcasses of dead cattle and supplying meat illegally. On December 17, at around 10 p.m., an informer alerted him that a truck bearing registration number UP78-CT-7221 was being loaded with meat packets inside the slaughterhouse premises. The vehicle, he said, waited for the lifting of the no-entry restriction for heavy vehicles, which ends at 11 p.m., before moving out. The truck reportedly passed through the Income Tax Office area and proceeded towards the District Court road. Mr. Bhanu said he and his associates followed the vehicle and attempted to stop it near the women’s police station. He also alleged that two men on a motorcycle were escorting the truck but fled when confronted. Interception and police response When questioned, the driver reportedly claimed that the consignment was buffalo meat. Mr. Bhanu said he rejected this explanation and alleged that documents handed over by the driver were insufficient. Soon after, police personnel reached the spot, citing the movement of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s convoy through the area. According to Mr. Bhanu, officers asked that the truck be moved to avoid disruption. He claimed that he stood in front of the vehicle and refused to allow it to proceed without inspection. As the situation drew attention, a veterinary team was called to the site at around 3 a.m. Mr. Bhanu alleged that the team did not collect samples and declared the meat to be buffalo meat after a cursory inspection. Members of the organisation insisted that samples be sent for laboratory testing and remained at the site through the night. Sampling and delay in report A Municipal Corporation team arrived the following morning. Mr. Bhanu alleged that a senior official questioned the basis for stopping a vehicle originating from the municipal slaughterhouse and dismissed the possibility of wrongdoing. After sustained pressure, meat samples were eventually collected. Mr. Bhanu said he was informed that the laboratory report would be available within three days. However, the report was received after nearly 20 days. He further alleged that the police did not inform him when the report confirmed the meat to be cow meat. An FIR was registered and arrests were made without formally notifying the complainant, he claimed. Allegations of pressure Mr. Bhanu also alleged that officials attempted to persuade him to settle the matter on the night of the seizure. Without naming individuals, he said suggestions were made to allow the vehicle to leave and “find a middle ground”, which he refused. Following the incident, the Municipal Corporation slaughterhouse at Jahangirabad was shut down. The Commissioner later suspended veterinary doctor Beni Prasad Gaur in connection with the case. Investigation continues Police officials estimate the value of the seized meat at approximately ₹1 crore. With Aslam Chamda now in custody, investigators are examining possible links and alternative locations where the alleged network may have shifted operations. Sources have indicated that areas on the outskirts of the city, including Adampur, are under scrutiny. Officials have not yet issued a detailed public statement addressing the allegations of delay and procedural lapses. The case continues to be investigated.