Honnavar: The police have reportedly arrested two key accused in the Kondakuli pregnant cow slaughter case from Salkod village in Honnavar taluk. However, there has been no official confirmation from the department yet.

The incident, which took place on January 19, involved the killing of a pregnant cow belonging to Krishna Achari, which had gone out to graze. A case was registered against Wasim and Muzammil in connection with the crime. Soon after the case was filed, both accused went into hiding.

A special investigation team (SIT) was formed to intensify the probe. During the investigation, two additional suspects who had allegedly aided in the transportation of meat and helped the accused evade arrest were also apprehended. One of the accused, Faizan, reportedly attempted to escape and was shot in the leg by the police. With the arrest of the main suspects, there is now a possibility that those who assisted them might also be named.

After the incident, Uttara Kannada SP M. Narayan personally visited Kondakuli, interacted with local residents, and reviewed the crime scene. He provided necessary instructions to his team, which eventually led to the successful identification and capture of the accused.

The brutality of the crime, wherein the cow was slaughtered and its unborn calf discarded before transporting the meat, had caused widespread anger. Reports suggest that Wasim and Muzammil had been evading arrest for nearly two months. Under the directives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the district SP, multiple teams were deployed to track them down. Their arrest marks a significant step toward concluding the case.

Beyond these arrests, the public has also demanded stricter measures to prevent cattle theft and urged authorities to take preventive steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.

It is to be recalled that after increasing cases of cattle theft, the largest Muslim organization in Uttara Kannada, Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal, had also demanded the SP take strict action against cattle thieves and arrest them immediately. Tanzeem further urged the police to take action against traders who purchase stolen cattle and to disclose their names so that the Muslim community could boycott buying meat from them.