Varanasi, Feb. 24 -- The Special Task Force (STF) on Monday arrested an alleged cattle smuggler from Pratapgarh-Patti Road in connection with a case registered in Chandauli district. The accused was identified as Prithvipal Saroj. He was wanted in a case registered at Syedaraja police station in Chandauli district under Sections 3/5A/5B/8 of the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. A reward of Rs.50,000 had been announced for his arrest. An STF team, under the supervision of deputy superintendent of police Shailesh Pratap Singh, carried out the arrest. According to the STF, during interrogation Saroj said he earlier worked in a candle-making factory in Delhi. After retirement, he purchased a DCM vehicle (UP-72-BT-3439) through bank finance. The vehicle was driven by his son, Rajkumar Saroj. However, due to non-payment of loan instalments, the vehicle was later given on rent to Sandeep Sharma, a resident of Bhabua district in Bihar, who also lives in Delhi. Police said Sandeep Sharma runs an active cattle smuggling gang. The gang allegedly loads bovine animals from forest areas of Etawah and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and transports them to West Bengal via Bihar. In 2025, Sharma and his associates were caught by Syedaraja police while transporting cattle in two vehicles. Drivers Rajesh Kushwaha and Balveer Verma, both residents of Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, were also arrested in the case. During investigation, the name of Prithvipal Saroj came to light. Police said local police will take further legal action in connection with FIR No. 53/2025 registered at Syedaraja police station in Chandauli district....