Latest news with #DeepakSaxena
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
A hoof whodunnit: Madhya Pradesh govt probes how Hyderabad racehorses ended up in Jabalpur
Madhya Pradesh is investigating the suspicious deaths of heritage-breed racehorses secretly transported from Hyderabad to Jabalpur BHOPAL/JABALPUR: Madhya Pradesh govt has launched an investigation into the suspicious deaths of several heritage-breed racehorses that were 'secretly' transported from Hyderabad and housed in Raipura village of Panagar, Jabalpur district. Jabalpur collector Deepak Saxena has directed a probe to unveil the circumstances under which the horses were brought to Jabalpur without the requisite medical and transport clearances. According to officials, around 57 horses were allegedly covertly moved between April 29 and May 3 by local resident Sanjay Tiwari, in association with a Hyderabad-based businessman. "Maneka Gandhi (former Union minister) informed me that Tiwari had transported some horses from Hyderabad to Jabalpur. Upon investigation with the help of police, the horses were located at a stud farm in Raipura village. They underwent medical examinations, and it was found that some horses were seriously ill," Saxena told TOI. "Unfortunately, eight horses died in the initial days. With regular health checks and treatment, the remaining horses have now recovered. The vet department has been instructed to investigate and address the irregularities related to the transportation and maintenance of the horses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Our top priority was to ensure their treatment," he added. While the local administration says caretaker Sachin Tiwari was the first to flag the deteriorating health of the horses, sources said Maneka had alerted the authorities earlier following a formal complaint by Lavanya Shekhawat - a Rajasthan-based aspiring polo player and horse lover. Shekhawat had emailed PETA India: "This is an urgent appeal regarding the horrifying condition of horses at the Hyderabad Race Course. Many are suffering, malnourished, injured, and some have already died due to neglect and abuse." Following her intervention, the horses were allegedly shifted to Jabalpur in an attempt to avoid scrutiny and possible legal action by animal welfare authorities. After arriving in Jabalpur, several horses displayed signs of illness. A rapid response team was formed to investigate a possible outbreak of glanders -a contagious and potentially fatal disease affecting equines - and other zoonotic threats. Under strict biosafety protocols, blood serum samples from all 57 horses with them were collected and sent to the National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar, Haryana. Test results for 44 horses came back negative; the others are awaited. Due to glanders containment protocols, post-mortem of the eight dead horses was not conducted. Dr Prafull Moon, deputy director of animal husbandry department, confirmed that eight people who were in contact with the horses were also tested for glanders and other diseases. "Precautionary measures are in full effect while we await final results. The horses remain under quarantine and care," he said. Authorities revealed that the horses were moved using passports issued in the name of 'Hitha Net India Pvt Ltd', a Hyderabad-based business linked to horseracing. However, mandatory medical clearances were allegedly not obtained. "We have directed the SP to verify all documentation and investigate how these horses were moved without approval," Saxena said. Tiwari, the caretaker, maintained that he acted in good faith and alerted officials as soon as health concerns arose. He said that the horses' passports included their medical history, and that Jabalpur was chosen for its favourable conditions to establish a horse farm. Menaka Gandhi told TOI that the Hyderabad-based owner of the online booking company should not only be arrested for the 'illegal activity' but also held accountable for the deaths of 100 horses. "I spoke to the Jabalpur district magistrate. The horses are now cared for. The DM has done a commendable job, as has Khushru Dhunjibhoy of Mumbai, who arranged for veterinarians and food," she said. "What is urgently needed now is for people to come forward and adopt or take responsibility for these horses. "
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Brought from Hyderabad, 8 racehorses die mysteriously in Madhya Pradesh, govt launches probe
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched an investigation into the mysterious deaths of eight high-value racehorses — belonging to heritage breeds — that were recently transported from Hyderabad to Raipura village in Jabalpur district. Jabalpur Collector Deepak Saxena ordered the probe after the local veterinary department responded to reports of multiple horse deaths at a private farm in Raipura. Officials are now examining allegations that a total of 57 horses were transferred from Hyderabad to Madhya Pradesh without the required veterinary documentation. Authorities are investigating claims that 'around 57 horses were covertly moved between 29 April and 3 May' by a local resident, Sachin Tiwari, in collaboration with a businessman based in Hyderabad. Among the breeds transported were Marwari and Thoroughbred horses. The Marwari, native to Rajasthan, is distinguished by its inward-curving ears and known for being a hardy riding horse with a natural ambling gait. Thoroughbreds, originally bred in England, are globally renowned for their speed, agility and racing prowess. Marwari horses are often crossed with Thoroughbreds to produce a larger horse with more versatility. According to Prafulla Moon, deputy director of the state veterinary department, four teams were deployed after officials located the horses. 'The horses were transported in a hot atmosphere from Hyderabad. The horses began falling sick due to stress. In total, eight horses have died. We have sent blood samples of 57 horses to a lab in Haryana. The reports of 44 horses have come negative for any infectious disease,' Moon said. Preliminary findings suggest that the animals were housed in inadequate conditions—a cramped cattle shed with insufficient shade and limited space to move. Following public outcry, the National Horse Breeding Society of India dispatched a truck carrying medical supplies to the farm. However, farm owner Sachin Tiwari allegedly barred the vehicle from entering the premises. In response, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is expected to hear the matter in the coming days. The PIL, filed by Jabalpur-based animal rights activist Simran Issar through her advocate Umesh Tripathi, seeks urgent court intervention to 'protect the life of 49 horses' still held at the facility. The petition describes the animals being kept in open fields during a heatwave without adequate access to water, sanitation, or shelter. The petition further claims that one of the respondents—a Hyderabad-based businessman—is the 'kingpin behind sponsoring all big horsing races in the country, with online betting ventures exclusively for the Philippines'. According to the PIL: 'At the peak of this horse racing venture, they have 154 horses for racing. They had 24 horse races everyday according to Manager for these horse races… This horse racing, which is illegal in India, was streamed on an app in the Philippines.' The petition also asserts that the operation fell into neglect after staff salaries were allegedly not paid, leaving '154 horses without food and water'. 'That, in the first week of February, 2025, out of 154 horses only 64 horses were left…That, these remaining horses were loaded on truck and were sent to Jabalpur from Hyderabad in the command and control of Sachin Tiwari,' the PIL stated.
