MUMBAI: The Vikhroli police early on Sunday morning arrested four persons allegedly for smuggling 2,400 kg beef in a truck. The Maharashtra government in March had banned the sell, slaughtering and transportation of beef.

The accused have been booked under various sections of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act. The accused were produced before Bhoiwada court and released on cash bail.

Those arrested included Yunus Qureshi (36), Akhtar Shaikh (24), Khan Jafar (33) and Sajid Qureshi (33), all labourers. An FIR was lodged by Bhaven Gathani. In May this year, the Worli police, had seized 29kg meat on the complaint of Sharad Gupta, a member of Bharti Gau Vansh Rakshan Samvardhan Parishad from a butcher. However, the forensic science result of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis revealed that the sample was of Buffalo origin which is not banned.

The seized meat 2,400 kg is estimated to be worth Rs 5.28 lakh. Suresh Yadav, who said he was from the RSS, played an active role in the seizure. "We alerted the police and caught one vehicle at Mulund check naka and another on highway at Vikhroli. The beef was seized and we disposed it off at Deonar abattoir. Some samples have been sent for tests at the Parel Veterinary hopsital. Meat was also found in a private tour and travels bus, being driven by a BMC sweeper. He would flash his BMC ID at tolla nakas. After confirmation that it was that of a buffalo, the private bus was fined and allowed to leave. The BMC worker is attached to the corporation as a sweeper and works part time as a driver. We will request the BMC to terminate him," said Yadav, who is also a BJP member. He said that two other vehicles, carrying meat, however managed to leave. Yadav stated that one vehicle had come from Sangam Nagar while other belonged to Bhiwandi.

"We are questioning the arrested persons from the source of this meat and have asked them to furnish the required documents like the place of slaughter and a stamp of clearing authority. We have sent the samples for analysis. The arrested persons could not furnish several documents which are required to transport meat," said a police officer. The police have booked the four accused under various sections of the Indian Penal code, BMC Act and the amended animal preservation Act.

In such cases, if the meat turns out to be buffalo's, the owner will not be compensated. In the Worli case, even after the report stated the meat was that of buffalo's the butcher had to suffer losses.