Dozen homes bulldozed in India following beef discovery in fridge
In Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, houses built on government land by 11 individuals were demolished after authorities found evidence of illegal beef trade, including the recovery of 150 cows and beef from their homes, according to Economic Times.
Acting on a tip-off regarding cow slaughter in the Bhainwahi area, police conducted a raid, leading to the discovery of cows captive for slaughter, and confiscated beef and other animal products from the accused.
"A team was rushed there and we found 150 cows tied in the backyards of the accused. Cow meat was recovered from the refrigerators in the homes of all the 11 accused. We also found animal fat, cattle skin and bones, which were stuffed in a room," Mandla Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha told PTI.
"The local government veterinarian has confirmed the seized meat is beef. We have also sent samples to Hyderabad for secondary DNA analysis. The houses of the 11 accused were demolished as they were on government land," the SP added.
An FIR was registered after the cows and beef were found, and one of the accused was arrested while the police continued to search for the remaining ten suspects. The seized cows were relocated to a cattle shelter.
"Bhainswahi area had become a hub of cow smuggling for some time now. Cow slaughter in MP is punishable with a jail term of seven years," Saklecha noted.
Police sources revealed that the criminal backgrounds of two of the accused had been verified, and efforts were ongoing to uncover details about the others. All the accused are identified as Muslims, according to police sources.