The Pick-up van carrying 152 animal fat containers was seized by the Margao police. Santosh Mirajkar
A Karnataka-registered pick-up van with 152 containers containing “Fat/Tallow”, suspected to be animal fat was seized by the Margao police on Thursday.
Members of the Bajrang Dal led by President Viraj Desai informed the Margao police and other authorities that a Pick-up van was found parked at the Khareband area of the city.
Upon a joint raid conducted by the Margao police, besides officials of the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), South, the team found 152 containers containing the animal fat stacked inside the vehicle.
When the driver, Mohammed Shabbir Bellary, aged 40 years, a native of Hubli-Karnataka was confronted by the team, he said the consignment was in the process of being transported to Maharashtra.
In his complaint lodged by Raj Pratik, Office of DSPCA, South, he stated that the accused person namely Mohammed Shabbir Bellary, aged about 40 years, native of Hubli, Karnataka, was found in illegal possession of 152 containers containing in it "Fat/Tallow" suspected to be "Animal Fat".
He said the containers were being transported in a Bollero Pick-Up bearing No. KA-25-B-3395, without valid permit.
He further stated that the same is obtained by illegally killing an animal, which is being used in Adulteration and sale of noxious food substance.
The Margao police have registered a FIR under section 325, 274 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and Section, 26, 27, 59 and 63 of The Food Safety and Standard Act (FSSA) 2006.
Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal president Viraj Desai said that seizure of the animal fat only goes to show that illegal slaughter of animals is continuing unabated. “Just imagine how many animals they must have slaughtered to obtain the animal fat. This is being used for adulteration”, he said, while demanding stern action against those involved in the crime.
