Vittla: Police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the theft of cattle that had been taken out for grazing and later went missing. The accused was apprehended following a complaint and has been produced before the court, police officials said on January 9, 2026.

The arrested person has been identified as Zulfan Malik (30), a resident of Ullal in Mangaluru taluk. He is accused of stealing four cattle belonging to Ganesh Rai and Narayan Naik. The incident was reported from the society grounds at Peruvai village in Bantwal taluk, where the cattle had been taken for grazing.

Theft reported after cattle went missing

According to the complaint lodged with the Vittla police station, the cattle owners had taken their animals to the society grounds at Peruvai, a common grazing area used by villagers. When the cattle did not return as expected, the owners conducted a search in the surrounding areas but were unable to trace them.

Suspecting theft, Ganesh Rai and Narayan Naik approached the Vittla police and lodged a formal complaint. Based on the information provided, police registered a case of cattle theft and initiated an investigation to identify those responsible.

Police action and arrest

Following the registration of the case, a police team was formed to trace the missing cattle and identify the accused. Officers collected preliminary information from local residents, examined possible movement routes from the grazing grounds, and verified leads related to the sale or transport of cattle.

During the course of the investigation, police zeroed in on Zulfan Malik, who was suspected to be involved in the theft. Acting on credible information, the Vittla police apprehended him and questioned him regarding the incident.

During interrogation, police found sufficient grounds linking the accused to the theft of the four cattle. He was subsequently arrested as per procedure and later produced before the court for further legal action.

Growing concern over cattle theft

Cattle theft continues to be a matter of concern in rural and semi-rural areas, where livestock forms an important source of livelihood for many families. Incidents of cattle being stolen from grazing grounds or cattle sheds have been reported from various parts of the district in recent years.

Police officials have stated that such cases not only cause financial loss to farmers and cattle owners but also create a sense of insecurity in villages. They have urged livestock owners to be vigilant, especially when cattle are taken out for grazing in open or common areas.

Investigation to continue

Police sources said that further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused acted alone or if others were involved in the theft. Efforts are also being made to trace and recover the stolen cattle, if not already recovered, and to verify whether the accused has any previous criminal record related to similar offences.

The Vittla police have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against those involved in theft and other crimes affecting the rural economy. They have also appealed to the public to promptly report suspicious activities related to cattle movement or transport, which could help prevent such incidents.

Conclusion

The arrest in the cattle theft case has brought some relief to the complainants, though police have said the investigation is still in progress. Authorities hope that swift action and community cooperation will help curb cattle theft and protect the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners in the region.