Moradabad,

03 Sept (HS): Ten UP cops, including a station house officer (SHO), have been

suspended in Moradabad for allegedly attempting to cover up a beef smuggling

case by burying meat and concealing a car rather than reporting the event to

higher authorities, according to police. Satpal Antil, Senior Superintendent of

Police (SSP), ordered suspensions after a departmental investigation revealed

that cops sought to suppress evidence.

According

to sources, the incident occurred late Monday night when a UP-112 police squad

halted a suspected Honda City sedan in the Umri Sabjipur forest region, which

is within the jurisdiction of Pakbada police station. Large amounts of meat were allegedly

discovered inside the vehicle during a check. Instead of escalating the

situation, the cops allegedly dug a trench to bury the confiscated meat and

relocated the vehicle.

According

to a police source, some officials attempted to negotiate a deal with the

traffickers.

SSP

Antil, upon learning of the occurrence, directed a rapid investigation. A Special Operations Group (SOG) squad, along

with veterinary specialists, excavated the buried flesh and determined it was

beef. Following confirmation, the SSP

promptly suspended all cops involved in the fiasco.

The automobile, registered in the name of

Mohammad Shami of Mohalla Sadat in Kundarki, has been confiscated, and a hunt

is ongoing for individuals engaged in the smuggling. Police suspect the meat

was being transferred from Gajraula to Kundarki. Meanwhile, SP City Kunwar

Ranvijay Singh stated on Wednesday that attempts are on to apprehend the

suspected smugglers as soon as possible. Suspended personnel include Pakbada

SHO Manoj Kumar, Chowki in-charge (Growth Centre) Anil Kumar, Sub-Inspectors

Mahavir Singh and Taslim (UP-112), Head Constables Bansat Kumar and Dhirendra

Kasana, Constables Mohit, Manish, and Rahul (UP-112), and Constable Driver Sonu

Saini (UP-112).

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi