Cow smuggling racket busted in Punjab: Five Muslim men arrested
Rupnagar, Punjab, India 
17 June, 2025
Case Summary
In Rupnagar, Punjab, three container trucks full of cows were intercepted, and cows rescued, by the Gau Raksha Dal Punjab. The cows were being smuggled from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and were being transported in highly inhumane conditions. A closed body container and two containers were seized during the operation. The vehicles were found to be stuffed with 32 cows and four calves. The back of the container was labelled as “Postal Parcel” in an attempt to evade suspicion. There was no provision for ventilation in these vehicles, nor was there any arrangement for drinking water or straw. The cattle were covered with tarpaulins and were being taken to a slaughterhouse in a covert manner. Police arrested five Muslim men involved in the cattle smuggling: Nadeem, Mehboob, Mohsin, Jan Mohammad, and Irshad, all residents of Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh. As of the date of writing this report, a case has been registered against them under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Cow Slaughter Act. All rescued cattle have been sent to the Gaushala in Rupnagar. The mastermind behind this cow smuggling racket was identified as Bunty, a resident of Sujanpur in Pathankot district, known for his repeated involvement in illegal cattle transport. Police said that the case would be thoroughly investigated and legal action would be taken against those responsible.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The cow is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. Often, cows are slaughtered and smuggled illegally by non-Hindu perpetrators as a mark of insult to the Hindu faith. There have been several documented cases throughout history where cow slaughter and smuggling are used as a method to insult the Hindu faith, convert Hindus (by force-feeding beef) and desecrate temples. In all cases of cow slaughter or smuggling, 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, then it would be reclassified under the Hate Crime database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
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