Sambhajinagar city police register 206 cattle-smuggling cases since 2022

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The city police have registered 206 cases related to illegal cattle smuggling and unlawful slaughter of bovines since 2022, arresting 395 accused, seizing 130 vehicles, rescuing 2,638 cattle and confiscating over 13,000 kg of beef.The data, covering 2022 to 2026 (till date), indicate a sustained crackdown by the police against illegal cattle transportation and beef trade, with enforcement intensifying steadily over the years.Commissioner of police Pravin Pawar said that in accordance to the state govt’s policy, sustained efforts against illegal cattle smuggling and unlawful slaughter are underway.“We have been conducting regular operations based on intelligence inputs.

The consistent rise in cases and recoveries reflects proactive policing and our zero-tolerance approach towards such offences," he said, while adding that the drive would continue with equal intensity and proposals are being sent to RTO authorities for suspending the permits of the vehicles being used for illegal cattle transportation.Pawar said that acting in accordance with the GR issued by the state home department issuing directives to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against repeat offenders in bovine and beef-related cases, the Jinsi police recently invoked stringent sections of the Act against the accused from whom 131 cattles were rescued.

In 2022, the police registered 13 cases, seized seven vehicles, arrested 19 accused, rescued 84 cattle and seized 177 kg of beef. The following year witnessed a sharp rise in action, with 33 cases, 26 vehicles seized, 49 accused arrested, 165 cattle rescued and 305 kg of beef confiscated. Enforcement gathered further momentum in 2024 with the police registering 44 cases and arresting 109 accused.“Any attempt to smuggle cattle or engage in illegal slaughter will invite strict legal action. Special surveillance is maintained on vulnerable routes and areas to curb such activities,” DCP (crime) Prashant Mohite said.The highest number of cases was recorded in 2025, when police registered 71 FIRs, arrested 129 accused, seized 41 vehicles and confiscated 6,460 kg of beef.Till date in 2026, the police have registered 48 cases, arrested 97 accused, seized 27 vehicles, rescued 268 cattle and confiscated 3,161 kg of beef.