DNA test on ‘stolen’ buffalo in Uttar Pradesh to settle ownership fight

MEERUT: In a one-of-its-kind case, Shamli police in UP has ordered a DNA test of an allegedly stolen buffalo, two years after a resident of Ahmadgarh village of Shamli district traced it to a nearby village. Chandrapal Kashyap, a labourer, had complained that a male three-year-old buffalo calf was stolen from his cowshed on August 25, 2020.
It was later found in November, 2020 in Beenpur village of Saharanpur but the alleged owner Satbir Singh refused to part with the animal claiming it was his.The matter took a back seat during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now, SP Shamli, Sukriti Madhav has ordered a DNA test of both the mother buffalo (which is still with Kashyap) and the Saharanpur based calf (now fully grown) to ascertain the rightful owner. “It was really a challenge to find out who was the real owner. But since Kashyap claimed he had the mother of the calf in his possession, we decided to go for a DNA test”, said SP Shamli, Sukriti Madhav.
Explaining how he identified his cattle, Kashyap said, “Like humans, animals also have distinct features. Firstly, it has a scar on its left leg. It also has a white patch at the tail end. And the third thing is its memory. When I went near, it recognised me and tried to reach me. What else do I need to establish its identity?”