Chandauli | Police investigating an alleged financial network linked to cattle smuggling in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district have arrested a ₹25,000 reward-carrying accused from Rohtas district in Bihar. Investigators claim the accused routed a total of ₹4.77 crore through his bank account to alleged cattle smugglers and their associates, including nearly ₹2.5 crore transferred to the accounts of 31 alleged cattle smugglers between October 2025 and the present.
According to police, the arrest is part of a wider investigation that began after several arrests were made in cattle smuggling cases in 2025. During the probe, investigators allegedly uncovered an organised network involving 31 individuals. Police claim the investigation also revealed financial transactions worth approximately ₹187 crore linked to the network, prompting a detailed examination of bank accounts and the movement of funds.
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During the investigation, the name of Akhilesh Kumar, a resident of the Chenari police station area in Rohtas district, Bihar, surfaced. Police allege that he used his bank account to transfer money to alleged cattle smugglers and people associated with them. After examining banking records, investigators claimed that a total of ₹4.77 crore had been transferred from his account to multiple beneficiaries. A case was registered against him at Saiyadraja Police Station on October 9, 2025. Following his failure to appear before investigators, police announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to his arrest and formed a special team to trace him.
A joint team of police and the surveillance unit later arrested the accused during a late-night operation at his mobile phone and hardware shop in Rohtas district. Investigators are now analysing his bank accounts, digital transactions and financial records to determine the source of the funds, identify beneficiaries and establish the extent of the alleged network.
Preliminary findings also indicated that the accused was believed to be operating a Common Service Centre (CSC). However, police said no active CSC facility was found during the investigation. During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted transferring nearly ₹2.5 crore to the bank accounts of 31 alleged cattle smugglers, including individuals identified as Mohammad Afzal, Sheikh Sultan, Sonu Qureshi, Pawan Kumar and Afzal. He also allegedly admitted transferring money to the accounts of some of his relatives and family members. Police said these statements are being independently verified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigators are now examining whether the accused merely facilitated financial transfers or was an active participant in the wider alleged network. Authorities are conducting forensic analysis of bank accounts, mobile phones, digital devices and other electronic evidence to establish the complete money trail. Police said efforts are continuing to identify other suspects connected to the alleged financial network, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the investigation.
