Pratapgarh police bust organized goat theft ring, arrest three suspects

Police in Pratapgarh have cracked a goat theft ring operating in the Lalganj police station area, arresting three men and recovering a stolen live goat, cash proceeds from the racket, and the motorcycle used in the crime. The breakthrough came after investigators mounted an operation based on a tip-off, leading them to corner the suspects near Kali Mata temple on the canal road close to Saryu Inter College.

The arrests followed a complaint filed on August 23 when a person grazing his goat near Mahimapur Mod had one animal stolen by two unidentified men. Police launched checks on suspicious individuals and vehicles, which eventually led them to the trio attempting to flee with the goat. The arrested men have been identified as Anish Verma alias Kallu, 22, Mohan Kori, 40, and Ravi Gautam, 26. The complainant positively identified the recovered goat as his stolen animal.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to operating a coordinated theft network where they would steal goats together and sell them at different locations, splitting the profits among themselves. Police recovered Rs 7,200 in cash from the suspects, money obtained from selling previously stolen goats. The white Apache motorcycle seized from them was confirmed to have been used in multiple theft incidents.

The investigation took a wider turn when the trio admitted to stealing nine goats from a house in Sarai Jagat Singh village on the night of August 22, a case already registered separately at Lalganj police station. Authorities have now added Section 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to the existing case and initiated further legal proceedings. Police are also examining the criminal history of the arrested individuals as the investigation continues.