A major lapse in wildlife security and a serious case of corruption has surfaced at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Documents available with Ground Report have revealed this. Authorities were serving suspicious meat to tigers and leopards through fake licenses.
The threads of this scam directly connect to the illegal cattle-meat trade at Bhopal’s Jhansi Slaughter House. A confidential order issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) on February 4, 2026, has confirmed this. Despite the Municipal Corporation’s warning, this game of death continued right under the noses of forest officials.
Connection with Jinsi Slaughter House
This entire scam connects to Bhopal’s Jhansi Slaughter House, which Aslam Qureshi alias Aslam Chamda operated. Bajrang Dal and Jai Maa Bhawani Sangathan provided information to the police. On December 17, 2025, police seized 26 tons of meat from a truck. The papers showed buffalo meat, so authorities released the truck. However, police sent samples from the truck to a lab in Mathura. The lab confirmed the meat was cattle meat. Authorities then arrested Aslam Chamda and the truck driver and sent them to jail. They also sealed the Municipal Corporation’s slaughter house.
Municipal Corporation’s Warning Ignored
The Municipal Corporation’s veterinary branch warned the Van Vihar manager on May 16, 2025, through letter number 155/P.Chi.Sha./2025. The letter stated that licenses held by meat sellers Aslam Qureshi and Ayaz Qureshi of Aone Mutton and Chicken Shop were fraudulent. The Municipal Corporation had never issued the license numbers listed in the tender, 8000073681 and 8000078908. Van Vihar officials continued the meat supply and made payments based on fake affidavits despite this warning.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who always remains active in protecting wildlife, expressed his anger over the incident. He stated, “This is not a small mistake. Van Vihar officials deliberately suppressed this letter. This provided protection to the criminals. They played with the lives of rare animals.”
Mystery of Vulture Deaths at Kerwa Dam
These vendors were not limited to Van Vihar alone. They also supplied meat to the vulture conservation project running at Kerwa Dam. Three vultures died there in June 2025. According to a complaint written by Ajay Dubey, the investigation revealed that the meat contained harmful drugs or poison. However, authorities suddenly stopped the investigation. No action was taken.
Dubey raises questions, stating, “The deaths of vultures at Kerwa Dam are a matter of investigation. But it was hushed up. How were these vendors’ bills approved? This shows collusion. Wildlife protection should not be compromised.”
PCCF Takes Cognizance, Demands Report in Three Days
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) issued orders on February 4, 2026, in this matter. The PCCF has asked Van Vihar management to submit an investigation report within three days.
PCCF and HOFF V.H.N. Ambade stated, “Such negligence in wildlife security will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against the guilty. Physical verification of documents will be mandatory in the tender process in the future.”
Ajay Dubey has demanded strict action against both vendors and those who protected them. He called for immediate stoppage of the supply. He urged the system to be strengthened to prevent such mistakes in the future. Dubey said, “Transparency is essential in places like Van Vihar. We have to save the lives of animals. I will continue this fight.”
This scam is not only the result of administrative negligence. It also exposes deep cracks in Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife conservation system. Fraud in sensitive matters like wildlife feeding is a direct tampering with the ecosystem. Now all eyes are fixed on the investigation report due in three days. Will action fall only on small employees or will action also be taken against those big officers under whose noses this game continued?
Support Us To Sustain Independent Environmental Journalism In India.
Keep Reading
Story of Mala Nimbalkar: Rag Picker to Manager of MRF centre in Bhopal
In Bhopalโs Idgah Hills, Who is Segregating Our Plastic Waste?
