Mungeli, Chhattisgarh | In a significant breakthrough, the Mungeli Police have arrested two accused individuals involved in the theft and illegal sale of seven buffaloes in the Dindori area under Chilfi Police Station limits. The accused have been sent to judicial custody, while police continue their search for a third suspect allegedly involved in the case.
According to police officials, the case came to light when Ashok Kumar Yadav (44), a resident of Dindori village, filed a complaint on June 6, 2026. He reported that he had left his seven buffaloes grazing near a village pond, but the animals failed to return. Based on his complaint, police registered a missing livestock report and launched an investigation.
Acting on the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bhojram Patel (IPS), the investigation was intensified. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police Navneet Kaur Chhabra and Deputy Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh, with local officers utilizing the districtโs beat policing system to gather intelligence and track down the missing animals.
During the investigation, police received a credible tip-off on June 7 indicating that two residents of Dayali Navagaon village, identified as Mahesh Dahariya (74) and Santaram Dahariya (42), had falsely claimed ownership of the buffaloes and arranged for them to be moved from Navagaon to Aurapani through intermediaries.
Police questioned Balram Yadav and Ravindra Yadav, who admitted that they had been instructed to herd the buffaloes to Aurapani. Further interrogation of the suspects led to a major breakthrough, as Mahesh Dahariya and Santaram Dahariya allegedly confessed to stealing the livestock and selling them for approximately โน80,000 to Gudda alias Aslam Khan, a resident of Selwar village in Dindori district.
During the operation, police recovered โน30,000 in cash, believed to be part of the proceeds from the illegal sale. Following the recovery and collection of evidence, both accused were formally arrested.
Police have registered a case under Crime No. 60/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 303(3) and 3(5), and have produced the accused before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Meanwhile, the alleged buyer, Gudda alias Aslam Khan, remains absconding. Police teams are conducting raids and search operations to locate and apprehend him.
Officials praised the effectiveness of the beat policing system, which played a crucial role in solving the case quickly. The operation involved the efforts of Inspector Raghubir Lal Chandra, Trainee Sub-Inspector Keso Ram, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mank Ram Dhruv, Kundan Rajput, Head Constable Shyam Dahariya, Baldev Rajput, and constables Nagesh Sahu and Pawan Gandharv.
Police officials stated that the case demonstrates their commitment to tackling livestock theft, a crime that directly affects the livelihoods of rural families, and assured that strict action will be taken against all individuals involved in such offenses.
Key Highlights:
- Seven buffaloes stolen from Dindori village.
- Two accused arrested and sent to judicial custody.
- โน30,000 cash recovered from the suspects.
- Livestock allegedly sold for โน80,000.
- Third accused, Gudda alias Aslam Khan, still absconding.
- Case registered under BNS Sections 303(3) and 3(5).
- Investigation and search operations continue.
