Cattle smuggling at India-Bangladesh border: Delhi court takes cognisance of charges against ex-Trinamool leader 

A court in Delhi has taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed by India's Enforcement Directorate against former Trinamool Congress youth wing leader Vinay Mishra; the alleged kingpin of a cattle smuggling racket across the India-Bangladesh border, Mohammad Enamul Haque; and others.

Special Judge Sanjay Garg issued summons against Mishra, his brother Vikas Mishra and other accused persons, asking them to appear before the court on June 1, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"I have gone through the complaint and the accompanying documents. There is sufficient material to proceed against the accused. Accordingly, the cognisance of the offence under sections of Prevention of Money Laundering Act is taken," the judge said in an order passed on April 19.

The charge sheet was filed through Nitesh Rana, ED's special public prosecutor, who told the court that Haque acquired huge amount of wealth from proceeds of crime generated out of cross-border activities and violated several laws.

According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the case was lodged following an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Kolkata against Satish Kumar, the then Commandant, Border Security Force (BSF), posted at the border.

The FIR alleged that Haque, along with Kumar and other public servants and private persons, was involved in the smuggling of cattle.

It was alleged that smuggling of cattle through the India-Bangladesh border was carried out at Haque's instance and he paid bribes to security personnel for facilitation of the trade.