Moradabad: Inspector and 10 other policemen suspended for dealing with smugglers and suppressing beef smuggling evidence. SSP's investigation found all allegations to be true, and departmental action has been initiated.
Moradabad: A significant action has been taken by the police department in a major beef smuggling case in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Following the seizure of beef in the Pakbara police station area, it is alleged that policemen from the police station and outpost buried the meat in a pit to protect the smugglers and let them go. In this case, 10 policemen, including the Inspector, have been suspended with immediate effect.
Moradabad SSP Satpal Antil stated that a departmental inquiry has been ordered after all allegations were found to be true. The inquiry process commenced on Wednesday.
Allegations of Police Dealing with Beef Smugglers
On Monday night, around 1:45 AM, in the Umri Sabjipur jungle of Pakbara police station area in Moradabad, a PRV team of UP Dial 112 attempted to stop a suspicious Honda City car. However, the occupants of the car managed to escape. Subsequently, the team led by Station House Officer Manoj Kumar and Outpost In-charge Anil Tomar apprehended the car.
During the search, beef was recovered from the car. It is alleged that the police struck a lucrative deal with the accused, secretly burying the meat in the ground. Furthermore, instead of bringing the car to the police station, it was hidden at a secret location, and the accused were released.
SSP's Strict Action and Investigation Team
Considering the gravity of the matter, Moradabad SSP Satpal Antil immediately constituted a team of three COs to conduct an investigation. The investigation team included:
- CO Civil Lines Kuldeep Kumar Gupta
- CO Highway Rajesh Kumar
- CO Katghar Ashish Pratap Singh
The SOG team exhumed the meat from the pit and sent samples for examination in the presence of a veterinarian. Following this action, the SSP suspended 10 policemen.
The suspended policemen include: Station House Officer Manoj Kumar, Outpost In-charge (Growth Centre) Anil Kumar, Sub-Inspector Mahavir Singh, Sub-Inspector (UP-112) Tasleem Ahmed, Head Constable Basant Kumar, Constables Dhirendra Kasana, Mohit, Manish, Rahul (UP-112), and Constable Driver (UP-112) Sonu Saini.
Investigation Launched Against Accused Policemen
The SSP informed that upon confirmation of the allegations, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against all of them. On Wednesday, the accused policemen were given an opportunity to present their defense.
Additionally, the SOG has been deployed to search for and apprehend the smugglers. An FIR has also been registered, and a thorough investigation of the case is underway. The SSP stated that any kind of irregularity will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken against the guilty.
Restoring Trust in Moradabad Police is a Challenge
The incident has highlighted the critical importance of maintaining discipline and ethics within the police department. This case of beef smuggling and police collusion to protect the accused has created a trust deficit between the local administration and the general public.
SSP Satpal Antil said that the departmental inquiry will be conducted with complete transparency. Those found guilty will be severely punished once their responsibility is established. His objective is not only to apprehend the smugglers but also to uphold discipline within the police department. Such incidents erode public trust in the police. Therefore, swift action and public scrutiny can help rebuild people's confidence.
