Shamli: Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district have arrested seven people in connection with allegations that beef was cooked and served at a Walima ceremony held at a marriage hall in Kairana on June 18.
Among those taken into custody are the groom’s father Furqan, the groom Farman, his maternal uncle Salman, marriage hall owner Anees, and cooks Farooq, Ashfaq and Zulfikar. Police said the arrests were made over a two-day period, with some accused detained on the night of the event and the rest picked up later on Wednesday.
According to officials, a raid was carried out at the Mughal Garden Marriage Home after police received information that beef was being served at the function. During the search, officers claimed to have found cooked meat that was suspected to be cow meat.
Investigators have alleged that a cow was slaughtered in the floodplain area near Khurgyan village along the Yamuna river and the meat was then brought to the venue in a Scorpio vehicle before being cooked and served to guests.
Additional Superintendent of Police Sumit Shukla said police acted swiftly after receiving the tip-off and that the investigation suggested a planned operation involving slaughter, transport and preparation of the meat. He added that the probe was continuing and efforts were on to identify and trace others who may have been involved.
In a separate action, the Shamli Development Authority sealed the banquet hall, saying it was an unauthorised structure. A junior engineer with the authority said a notice had already been issued to the owner seeking an explanation, and that further steps, including possible demolition, could follow.
Police said the case remains under investigation. The family of the groom has reportedly not spoken publicly since the arrests.