Police arrest kingpin of South Bengal’s largest cow theft ring
Bankura, West Bengal, India 
3 March, 2025
Case Summary
Police in Bankura's Joypur police station arrested Sourav Ghosh, the ringleader of South Bengal’s biggest cow theft ring, along with his associate Sheikh Amir Hossain. The duo was caught in Purba Medinipur after investigations into multiple cow thefts in Kotulpur and Joypur led to their trail. Police recovered stolen cows and a transport truck used for smuggling. Ghosh hired professional thieves from South 24 Parganas, paying them 500 taka per cow, and meticulously planned large-scale thefts. He also exploited truck owners struggling with loan payments by borrowing their vehicles under false pretences.
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 
