Gujarat Police seized over 1,200 kilograms of beef from a parcel van of the Mumbai-bound Golden Temple Express at Vadodara railway station earlier this week.
According to Western Railway’s Superintendent of Police Saroj Kumari, a total of sixteen parcels were offloaded from the train after specific intelligence indicated possible smuggling of prohibited meat. The parcels, sent from Amritsar in Punjab, were intercepted late Wednesday night. Following forensic tests conducted by the Surat Forensic Science Laboratory, it was confirmed that the seized material was beef. Consequently, an FIR was lodged on Friday. The case has been registered under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which relates to cruelty towards animals, along with applicable sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Police have identified two individuals involved in the shipment: Vijay Singh, who allegedly dispatched the meat from Amritsar, and Jafar Shabir, named as the recipient. Authorities confirmed that both suspects are currently absconding and efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them. “This seizure was based on credible intelligence. The railways are being monitored more closely now for such illegal activities,” said an official from Vadodara Railway Police. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the larger network possibly involved in transporting beef through national railway routes.
The transport and sale of beef is banned in Gujarat, where the law prohibits possession and trade of cow and bull meat. The seizure has once again highlighted concerns over the use of public transport for smuggling restricted items across state borders.
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