Pune: In a vigilant operation, a group of Gau Rakshak (cow protectors) intercepted a truck carrying eight cows destined for slaughter and handed it over to the Uruli Kanchan police.

The driver, Ranjit Balu Khade, has been booked under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act for illegal animal transport.

Rahul Chandrakant Barangle, a 28-year-old cow protector from Tupe Vasti, Uruli Kanchan, received information about the illegal transport of cows by Khade.

Acting swiftly, Barangle, along with fellow protectors Rohit Tatya Kedari, Akash Prabhakar Tupe, and Prashant Rajendra Londhe, coordinated to stop the truck near the Sakhare petrol pump at around 12:45 AM on September 28.

Upon inspection, it was found that the eight cows, valued at ₹80,000, were being transported in poor conditions without any provision for food or water, tied with ropes, and were on their way towards Pune.

The cow protectors immediately called the police emergency number 112, and the truck was taken to the Uruli Kanchan police station.

During questioning, Khade admitted that the animals were being transported to Panvel, Navi Mumbai, for slaughter. Based on this, the police filed a case against him under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Recently, Pune Rural Police had intercepted a container carrying 29,000 kilograms of beef en route from Hyderabad to Mumbai on the Pune-Solapur National Highway on August 18 night.

The vehicle was seized near a roadside eatery in Khadki, Daund taluka, after a tip-off led police to the scene. The total value of the confiscated goods, including the beef and the container, was estimated at ₹59.2 lakh.