Bhopal SIT Intensifies Probe into Suspected Banned Meat Seizure at Municipal Slaughterhouse
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the seizure of suspected banned meat linked to the BMC-run Jinsi slaughterhouse in Bhopal is currently verifying official records from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation. This crucial step aims to determine precisely when operational control changed hands at the facility and whether any irregularities occurred during the transition period.
Slaughterhouse Inspection and Operational Assessment
On Saturday, SIT investigators conducted a thorough inspection of the sealed Jehangirabad (Jinsi) slaughterhouse facility as part of their intensified probe. Team members spent several hours examining the plant's layout, machinery, and operational processes. According to SIT sources, the facility is specifically designed for processing frozen boneless meat and operates with significant automation, featuring minimal manual intervention.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed, "The production capacity and daily output depend entirely on livestock availability. There is no scope for large-scale manual handling inside the plant." Investigators are now assessing whether the existing infrastructure aligns with the volume of meat seized in December, creating potential discrepancies in the case.
Accused's Denial and Forensic Report Challenge
During interrogation, the main accused, slaughterhouse operator Aslam Qureshi, has consistently denied that the seized meat constitutes beef. Qureshi has specifically challenged the forensic laboratory report from Mathura, which concluded that the samples were from a cow or its progeny. However, SIT officials maintain that since a laboratory report is already documented, the burden of proof now rests with the accused to substantiate his claims.
A senior officer involved in the case stated, "If he maintains that it was buffalo meat, he will have to explain how beef was detected in the samples." This contradiction forms a central point of contention in the ongoing investigation.
Verification of Operational Control Transfer
The accused has informed investigators that the slaughterhouse was handed over to him on November 7, 2025. SIT members are now meticulously verifying this claim through BMC records to establish the exact timeline of operational control transfer and identify any potential irregularities surrounding that period. This verification process is considered essential for understanding the chain of responsibility.
Supply Chain Reconstruction and Source Identification
Saturday's inspection coincided with the third day of police remand for Aslam Qureshi, during which investigators questioned him extensively about multiple aspects of the operation:
- Animal sourcing procedures
- Slaughter process protocols
- Meat packaging methods
- Dispatch of meat consignments
Sources indicate this questioning aims to reconstruct the entire supply chain and identify the origin of the cows whose meat was allegedly found in the seized consignment. Finding the source of allegedly slaughtered cows remains a primary focus of the probe.
Evidence Examination and Investigation Scope
Investigators are examining multiple evidence streams to determine whether prohibited animals entered the facility or if the meat originated elsewhere and was merely processed or packaged at Jinsi:
- Procurement records from the slaughterhouse
- Transport documents related to livestock movement
- CCTV footage seized during earlier stages of investigation
Currently, two accused individuals—Aslam Qureshi and truck driver Shoaib—are in judicial custody. Police authorities have not ruled out naming additional individuals if emerging evidence suggests wider involvement in the case.
Officials emphasize that the investigation remains actively underway, with further actions to be guided by technical analysis, documentary evidence, and forensic findings. No final conclusions have been drawn at this preliminary stage as the SIT continues its comprehensive examination of all aspects surrounding the suspected banned meat seizure at the municipal facility.
