Supplier Imran Qureshi arrested for supplying beef for samosa's in Vadodara (Image Source: OpIndia Gujarati)
On Saturday, April 6, Gujarat Police conducted a raid on ‘Huseni Samosa Center’, a Vadodara-based eatery, resulting in the arrest of six individuals, including owners Yusuf and Naeem Sheikh, for the sale of samosas containing beef. The court subsequently remanded the accused to one-day police custody on Sunday (April 7). Following interrogation, the proprietors disclosed their beef supplier as Bhalej resident Imran Yusuf Qureshi, leading to his arrest on Monday, April 8.
During the raid in the Chhipwad area, law enforcement seized the inventory, which was later confirmed by a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report to be beef. It was uncovered that the samosa shop operated without a license.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for Zone 4, Panna Momaya, revealed, “The accused distributed ready-to-fry samosas to various meat samosa vendors citywide and also retailed ready-to-eat samosas from their own Chhipwad shop. The use of beef was confirmed by the FSL report, indicating a profit-driven motive at the expense of unsuspecting customers. Additionally, the shop lacked proper licensing from civic authorities.”
In the raid, police confiscated 61 kg of prepared samosas and equipment worth Rs 49,000 upon receiving the FSL report.
The seven accused face charges under Sections 8 and 10 of the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill 2017, pertaining to violations of anti-cow slaughter legislation.
Imran, one of the accused, had prior employment in a meat exporting company. Originally from Dahod, he had resided with his wife and mother for the past three to four years. His involvement in supplying beef-infused samosas began after meeting the other accused while working at a Vadodara butcher shop, subsequently relocating to Bhalej for this illicit trade.
Acting on a tip-off from local animal activist Neha Patel, the police conducted a raid on a Chhipwad area eatery shop on Saturday. Patel, who heads an animal cruelty prevention organisation, alerted the authorities after learning that the samosas being sold were stuffed with beef.
The Local Crime Branch of Vadodara City Zone 4 responded to the tip-off and raided the eatery, seizing a total of 113 kg of beef and 152 kg of samosa filling from the popular ‘Hussaini Samosa’ suppliers.
DCP Panna Momaya commented on the incident, stating, “On April 6, a raid was carried out on Huseni Samosa Center at Panigate based on information received. More than 300 kg of meat, confirmed to be beef by FSL investigation, was recovered. Six individuals, including shop owners Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh and Naeem Sheikh, were arrested, along with four employees.”
Further investigations during the remand revealed that Imran alias Daudi Yusuf Qureshi from Bhalej was the supplier of the beef. Imran Qureshi was subsequently arrested along with the other accused.
The arrested individuals, including shop owners Yusuf and Naeem Sheikh, as well as employees Hanif Bhathiyara, Dilawar Pathan, Moin Habdal, and Mobin Sheikh, were apprehended. The seventh accused, beef supplier Imran Qureshi from Bhalej, was arrested two days later at his residence.
Reports indicate that the accused operated from a five-story facility, utilising one room as a deep freezer to store beef and other meats. Despite Yusuf Sheikh’s claim that he joined his father’s samosa business, investigations revealed that the shop operated without the necessary licensing.
According to officials, numerous individuals in the city consumed these beef samosas.
Notably, a similar case has come to light from the canteen of Tata Motors located in Pune, Maharashtra. Notably, items such as condoms, stones, and tobacco were stuffed inside samosas, sparking an immediate uproar. The Pune police swiftly acted, registering a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals involved in this disturbing act.
The accused, identified as Rahim Shaikh, Azhar Shaikh, Mazar Shaikh, Azar Shaikh, and Vicky Shaikh, reportedly carried out the crime out of frustration after their contract with the company was terminated. While one suspect has been apprehended, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of their involvement.
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