Shravasti police arrested four men on Saturday while they were allegedly preparing to slaughter a cow in the Malhipur area, following an armed confrontation. One of the accused was injured during the encounter and has been admitted to a hospital for treatment, while two others managed to escape under the cover of darkness, police said.
The police had been searching for unidentified suspects in connection with a case registered under the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act on February 4, 2026. Circle Officer Mahendra Kumar Singh said they received a tip-off on March 20 that a group of men was tying a bovine animal in a garden near Makuni Tiraha and preparing it for slaughter. “On receiving the information, a police team led by Inspector Singh reached the spot and cordoned off the area,” he said.
Armed Confrontation with Police
According to Singh, when the accused spotted the police, they allegedly opened fire with illegal weapons. “Our team narrowly escaped injury. In response, we acted swiftly and arrested four individuals identified as Saeed, Nafees, Islam, and Wasim,” he said. Two others, Bablu and Sufiyan, managed to flee the scene.
During the arrest, Saeed reportedly tried to escape and fell, sustaining injuries. He was immediately taken to the Malhipur Community Health Center for treatment. Police recovered a 315-bore country-made pistol and a live cartridge from his possession.
Evidence Seized
Police also recovered several items intended for cow slaughter. These included wooden logs, plastic sacks, ropes, an axe, a knife, and a female calf. A case has been registered at Malhipur police station under the Arms Act and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Investigations are ongoing.
Criminal History of the Accused
Circle Officer Singh revealed that some of the arrested men had a significant criminal record. “Wasim has 23 cases registered against him, including murder, robbery, Gangster Act violations, and NDPS Act offences. Islam has seven criminal cases, while the other accused also have prior records,” he said.
Police added that all the arrested individuals were reportedly involved in two other incidents of cow slaughter in the Malhipur area over the past two months. The authorities are continuing raids to apprehend the two remaining suspects.
Wider Context
These arrests highlight the ongoing efforts of Uttar Pradesh police to enforce laws protecting cows, a sensitive issue in the state. Authorities have been increasingly vigilant following complaints from local communities and tip-offs regarding illegal cow slaughter. “We are committed to preventing acts that violate the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and ensuring that offenders face strict legal action,” Singh said.
Local residents praised the police operation, stating that such enforcement is necessary to maintain peace and prevent the escalation of communal tensions around livestock-related crimes.
The police said they are reviewing all angles of the case and have called for a detailed investigation into how the group obtained weapons and other materials for cow slaughter. “Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that all involved parties are brought to justice,” Singh added.
