Moradabad SHO, SI among 10 cops suspended for burying beef, hiding seized car to shield smugglers

The police personnel were suspended following an internal probe that found that the 10 cops burried the beef and hid the car to cover up the incident.

Ten policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), have been suspended in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly attempting to cover up a case of beef smuggling by supressing the evidence.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Moradabad) Satpal Antil was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that the police personnel were suspended following an internal probe that found that the 10 cops seized meat and hid the car in an attempt to cover up the incident.

As per the report, the 10 suspended police personnel are SHO (Pakbada) Manoj Kumar, Chowki in-charge Anil Kumar, sub-inspectors Mahavir Singh and Taslim, head constables Bansat Kumar and Dhirendra Kasana,  constables Mohit, Manish, and Rahul, and constable driver Sonu Saini.

They have been suspended under the provisions of Rule 17(1)(A) of the UP Subordinate Police Officers (punishment and appeal) Rules, 1991, on serious charge of gross negligence, arbitrariness, and inaction towards their duties, the Moradabad Police was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

“On Tuesday afternoon, we received information that no action was taken by police after they intercepted a vehicle carrying beef under the limits of the Pakbara Police station in Moradabad. By seeing the seriousness of the issue and in consideration of the prior directions, we formed a Special Operations Group (SOG) team to examine the issue,” the SSP told The Indian Express, adding that “the probe team confirmed that the accused police personnel “failed to take appropriate action in the matter and instead tried to suppress it”.

According to police, a police team of UP-112 intercepted a “suspicious” Honda City car in the Umri Sabjipur forest area under Pakbada police station limits.

“On inspection, large quantities of beef were allegedly found in the vehicle. Instead of escalating the matter, the policemen allegedly dug a pit to bury the seized meat and moved the car to another location,” the newly appointed SHO of Pakbada, Satender Singh, who assumed the charge on Wednesday, was quoted by The Indian Express.

Among those suspended, three belonged to the UP-112 team.

“We have registered a FIR against unidentified men under the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. The men have been identified, but we will not be revealing the information,” the SHO said, adding the beef was being transported from Gajraula to Kundarki. Meanwhile, SP (City) Kunwar Ranvijay Singh said efforts were being made to arrest the accused smugglers at the earliest.