A video of Shajeer, a lorry driver from Cherpulassery, killing a cat and sharing it on Instagram has sparked outrage in Kerala. Police are investigating and trying to locate him.
A disturbing video of a man killing a cat and sharing the footage on Instagram has triggered outrage in Kerala, prompting a police investigation. The accused has been identified as Shajeer, a lorry driver from Cherpulassery in Palakkad district.
The video, posted as an Instagram Story from the account ‘Shajeer_Tool’, first showed the cat being fed. What followed was far more horrifying as another clip showing the cat’s head and body parts separated was uploaded. As the footage circulated on social media, users flagged it to the police.
Cherpulassery police have launched a probe and are verifying the authenticity of the video. Preliminary findings suggest Shajeer is currently in Tamil Nadu. The police are trying to trace his exact location.
According to Kerala Kaumudi, when questioned informally about the act, Shajeer allegedly said, “Cat meat tastes better than human meat.”
Authorities are still trying to establish where the video was filmed. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation.
What The Law Says
Under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, killing or maiming an animal is a punishable offence. The new law, part of the overhaul that replaced the Indian Penal Code, clearly states that anyone who kills, poisons, or renders an animal useless can face up to five years in jail, a fine, or both.
The act may also attract charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which lays down additional penalties for causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
