Judicial probe into cow deaths in Chhattisgarh
A preliminary investigation by the local police has also led to disclosure that Mr Verma was selling skin and bones of dead cows.
Bhopal: The Chhattisgarh government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into death of cows in ‘Goshalas’ (cow sheds), run by a local BJP leader, due to starvation and lack of care.
The one-man commission, headed by retired judge A.K. Samantray, would probe the matter and submit its report to the state government in three months, sources in the Chhattisgarh government said.
The state government ordered the judicial probe into the large scale deaths of cows in the three “Goshalas” in Durg and Bemetera district in the state run by local BP leader Harish Verma, in the wake of demand by Opposition Congress to get the matter investigated by the CBI.
While Verma was arrested on August 11 in connection with death of over 200 cows in his shelter in Durg district, nine officers of state veterinary department have been placed under suspension following the incident. Mr Verma is also the vice-president of Jamul Nagar Nigam, a civic body in Durg district.
A preliminary investigation by the local police has also led to disclosure that Mr Verma, who has been suspended from BJP following the incident, was selling skin and bones of dead cows. Allegations were also made that cows were starved to death to sell their meat, skin and bones to the traders dealing with them.