Varanasi Police Arrest Cow Slaughter Accused After Exchange of Fire
In a dramatic early morning operation, Bilariaganj police in Varanasi arrested a man accused of cow slaughter after he was injured in the leg during an exchange of fire on Saturday. The incident unfolded around midnight when police were conducting routine patrols in the area.
Details of the Arrest and Escape
Police identified the arrested individual as Tabrez, aged 24, who was taken into custody following the shootout. However, his accomplice managed to evade capture and escape from the scene. According to Azamgarh ASP Vivek Tripathi, the police had received specific intelligence about criminal movement from Jalaluddin Patti road towards Chhichhori.
Acting on this input, officers quickly cordoned off the route and attempted to stop a suspicious person. When the individual opened fire and tried to flee, police responded with retaliatory shots, leading to Tabrez's arrest. After the confrontation, authorities recovered a pistol and several cartridges from the scene before rushing the injured suspect to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Background of the Cow Slaughter Case
Tabrez had been on police radar for his alleged involvement in butchering a cow in a field in Imlipur village on March 17. The case came to light when Jayprakash Yadav of Madhnapar village filed a formal complaint with police after discovering the head and skin of a cow in the field.
Police immediately registered an FIR under sections of the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act against unknown persons. During the subsequent investigation, the names of four suspects—Salman, Tabrez, Sarfraz, and Meraj, all residents of Mohammadpur—emerged. Law enforcement had been conducting raids to apprehend these individuals prior to Saturday's incident.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Efforts
The arrest represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the March 17 cow slaughter incident. Police continue their search for the escaped accomplice and the other named suspects. The recovery of the firearm suggests the suspects may have been armed during the original incident as well.
Authorities have emphasized their commitment to enforcing the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act in Uttar Pradesh, where such cases often generate significant public attention and legal scrutiny. The early morning exchange of fire highlights the risks law enforcement faces when confronting suspects in such sensitive cases.
