Cow smuggling racket busted in Betul, 22 oxen recovered
Betul, Madhya Pradesh, India 
26 February, 2025
Case Summary
Police in Betul intercepted a truck (RJ 14 GG 3028) carrying 24 oxen, two of which had died, being smuggled to a slaughterhouse in Maharashtra. The animals were cruelly bound by their mouths, legs, and horns. Two accused, Monu Kaushal (23) from Kanpur and Yakub Khan (25) from Rajasthan, were arrested and confessed to the crime. Acting on a tip-off, authorities stopped the truck on February 27, 2025, near Sonaghati on the Nagpur-Bhopal highway. The surviving 22 bulls, valued along with the truck at ₹21.37 lakh, were sent to Maa Tapti Gaushala Bhayawadi. A case for cow smuggling and animal cruelty was registered.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The cow is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. Often, cows are slaughtered by non-Hindu perpetrators as a mark of insult to the Hindu faith. There have been several documented cases throughout history where cow slaughter is used as a method to insult the Hindu faith, convert Hindus (by force-feeding beef) and desecrate temples. In all cases of cow slaughter, there is a suspicion of religious animosity against Hindus working as a motivating factor, however, in the absence of any concrete indication, this case is being categorised as Undecided. If more details emerge, it would be added to the Hate Crime Database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
