CBI PROBE INTO COW SMUGGLING

AT INDO-BANGLA BORDER
 HOW RAMPANT IS COW SMUGGLING IN WEST
BENGAL?
Tens of thousands of cattle are estimated to be
smuggled into Bangladesh annually through the
porous 2,216-km India-Bangladesh border in
West Bengal.
 BSF REPORTED THE ISSUE TO MHA
The smugglers adopted a unique method of tying the animals to
rudimentary rafts and used a flooded river that runs between the two
countries across the border.

“Tens of thousands of cattle are estimated to be smuggled in Bangladesh.

We found the heads of the bovines were placed between two banana
tree trunks and bound together before they were pushed in the water
from where the current took them to Bangladesh. Improvised explosive
devices were also found attached to the rope tied to the animals’ neck,”
said a BSF official.
MHA ASKED CBI TO PROBE
CBI RAID ACROSS INDIA
 A NEXUS REVEALED
The Central Bureau of Investigation’s probe into cow smuggling along
the India-Bangladesh border has revealed a well oiled nexus between
smugglers and a section of officers from the BSF and the Customs
Department.

Individuals with political links are also under CBI’s scanner.

In a significant development, the central agency issued a look out

notice last week against Trinamool Youth Congress leader Vinay
Kumar Mishra.
 THE FIR
In an FIR filed on September 21 last year, the CBI has named four
persons – BSF Commandant Satish Kumar, Md Enamul Haque, Anarul
Sheikh and Md. Gulam Mustafa.

The CBI has mentioned in the FIR that between December 19, 2015 to
April 22, 2017, Satish Kumar was posted as Commandant of BSF, 36
Battalion in Malda district which was having four companies deployed
in Murshidabad and two companies in Malda.
 It is alleged that during this period, more than 20,000 cows were
seized by the BSF before being transported across the border.

According to the FIR, the seizure lists were prepared arbitrarily,

categorizing the breed and size of the animals with an intention to
reduce the upset price of the cattle during auctions.

These cattle were auctioned immediately (within 24 hours of seizure).

 AUCTIONED TO WHOM?
Only selected traders were allowed to buy the seized cattle at a low
price in auctions.

After auctions, the cattle were smuggled into Bangladesh.

 HOW DID THE TRADERS MAKE MONEY?
Each cow is priced in the range of Rs 80,000 to 90,000 (large size
breeds) and Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 (smaller size breeds) depending on
size and demand in Bangladesh.

The prices shoot up during Eid and when there is a high demand for
export from Bangladesh for packaged meat.
 THE CORRUPT OFFICIALS…
It is alleged that, in lieu of such favour, Md. Enamul Haque used to pay
Rs. 2,000 per cattle to BSF officials and Rs. 500 to Customs officials.

Besides, the CBI claims that the officials of Indian Customs used to
take bribes of 10% of the auction price from successful bidders like
Enamul Haque, Md. Gotam Mustafa, Anarul Sk.
 CHARGES
The accused have been charged with cognizable offences u/s 120B
(criminal conspiracy) IPC and Section 7, 11 & 12 of the Prevention of
Corruption Act, 1988.
 WHO ALL ARE ON CBI’S RADAR?
So far, two individuals have been arrested in the case – BSF official
Satish Kumar and alleged kingpin of the racket Md. Enamul Haque.

According to sources, there is a possibility of the CBI reaching out to

bigger names.
At least six Bengal police officials have already been summoned, two
have been questioned and a few more business men with links to
influential people are under the agency’s scanner.
 STAY TUNED…

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