Team Herald
MARGAO: A disturbing incident surfaced in Margao as a group of youths exposed an illegal slaughterhouse that was allegedly butchering cattle and producing ghee from animal fat in the Khareband area. The operation, discovered in the basement of a four-storey residential building, was being conducted under highly unhygienic conditions, leaving residents and authorities in shock. The case is extremely sensitive, especially in light of the widespread controversy surrounding the Tirupati temple laddus, which were reportedly found to contain ghee adulterated with animal fat.
The illegal slaughterhouse went unnoticed for months despite being in the heart of Margao. Locals expressed concern over the failure of the Margao police to detect and act on these activities going on within their jurisdiction, before the youths brought the matter to light.
The police were alerted after the group of youths intercepted a vehicle transporting four bulls to the site. The youths tried to stop the vehicle but were unable to and followed it to a residential building in Khareband. The alleged perpetrators fled, leaving behind four animals, but by the time the group informed the police and the authorities reached the spot, two animals had disappeared. The group managed to rescue the other two.
Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered 41 tins containing fat meant for ghee production, teak logs, large ropes, weapons, and dry rotten meat packed in tins, all of which were confiscated.
There are suspicions that the accused were preparing ghee from the animal fat to sell in Margao market, particularly targeting local restaurants. The group of youths demanded that a case be registered under the Arms Act, given the weapons found at the scene.
According to police reports, around midnight on September 22, the accused—Aslam Bepari, his son, and other family members—were found in illegal possession of two bulls. They were reportedly engaged in the illegal slaughter of cows and bulls, using the animals' fat to produce ghee for sale, all within a residential building.
On September 23, Margao police registered the offence under various sections, including Section 325 R/w 3 (5) of the BNS, Section 4, 5, 8, and 10 of The Goa Animal Preservation Act, and Sections 3, 5, and 8 of The Goa, Daman, and Diu Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. They also invoked Section 11 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, based on a complaint filed by Bhagwan Redkar of Dakshin Goa Sansad.