The slaughterhouse, located in the Jinsi area, was inaugurated barely a month ago at a cost of ₹35 crore and was projected as a state-of-the-art facility. Its operations were handed over to Live Stock Food Processor Pvt Ltd, owned by Aslam Qureshi. Following the recovery of beef, Qureshi was arrested and later sent to jail. The municipal corporation has since sealed the slaughterhouse, though questions around accountability remain unanswered.
Congress Gherao Municipal Office
Angered by the confirmation of beef, Congress workers on Friday staged a gherao of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation office at Mata Mandir. Protesters raised slogans and demanded strict action against those involved. They called for bulldozer action against the contractor’s residence and the slaughterhouse, along with punitive action against officials who approved or supervised the project.
Due to the protest, no senior officials reached the municipal office until around 11:30 am. Congress leaders alleged that illegal beef trade was taking place openly in the city despite the BJP being in power at both the state and central levels.
State Congress General Secretary Amit Sharma questioned how beef was being traded and allegedly exported. “Who helped the contractor get the tender? How did the meat-laden vehicle leave the slaughterhouse? Which leaders were involved and who benefited?” he asked, demanding a thorough probe. He warned that if action was not taken, Congress would intensify protests, including demonstrations outside the Chief Minister’s and Mayor’s residences.
Hindu Groups Also Protest
A day earlier, several Hindu organisations also staged large-scale protests over the issue, adding to the pressure on the civic administration.
Officials’ Response
Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain said the slaughterhouse was sealed following the inspection report. However, Additional Commissioner and Govardhan Project Veterinary Branch In-charge Harshit Tiwari stated that strict rules exist regarding the disposal of animal bodies and the movement of meat from the facility.
Officials clarified that while the Sub-Divisional Magistrate conducts inspections, responsibility for records and slaughterhouse operations lies with the municipal corporation. The contract was approved by the Mayor-in-Council, raising questions about the role and responsibility of Mayor Malti Rai.
Past Controversies Resurface
The issue has revived memories of a similar controversy from three years ago, when large numbers of dead cows were found dumped near Jeevdaya Gaushala, around 25 km from Bhopal. Investigations at the time revealed that carcasses were dumped by a municipal contractor just one kilometre from the shelter, creating a grim scene resembling a graveyard. The contractor involved was also Aslam Qureshi.
Qureshi has reportedly been responsible for lifting animal carcasses from the city for nearly three decades, with leather and bones sent to factories. Despite past allegations, he was awarded the slaughterhouse contract with approval from the Mayor-in-Council.
Cow Shelters in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh currently has over 1,700 cow shelters—both government-run and private—housing nearly three lakh cattle. These shelters receive annual financial assistance from the state government.
As political pressure mounts, the case has become a major test for the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, with demands growing for transparency, accountability, and strict enforcement of cattle protection laws.
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