Racehorse death toll rises to 9; activists question clean chit by probe

Bhopal: Another racehorse brought from Hyderabad to Jabalpur has died under mysterious circumstances, raising the toll to nine at a time when a district-level investigation has given the clean chit to all parties involved in the transport and care of 57 horses.
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Jabalpur collector Deepak Verma defended the inquiry, saying, "This report is from three senior doctors. We will escalate the matter and investigate if there are any objections to the documentary evidence."
Animal welfare groups and local activists allege that the horses were transported and kept in miserable conditions, and call the probe a "whitewash".
The horses were transported between April 25 and April 29, 2025, under the supervision of
, acting on behalf of a Hyderabad-based firm.
Several of the horses were reported unwell on May 5, and the MP animal husbandry department began an investigation the following day.
A three-member committee — Manoj Vaishya of Panagar, Sanjay Gupta of Kandrakheda and Vishnu Gupta of Jabalpur — conducted the probe and concluded that all legal and veterinary procedures were followed. There were no signs of negligence or mistreatment during or after transport, they said.
According to their report, all 57 horses had valid health certificates and passports at the time of travel. They were transported in 10 trucks with adequate space, food, water and caretakers. Although eight horses sustained minor injuries during the journey, they were promptly treated. The deaths of eight horses (then) were attributed to transportation-related stress, climatic changes, and heat stroke.
Officials said the horses are now at a private property in Amkhera village on the outskirts of Jabalpur, where suitable arrangements for their feeding, care, and treatment were observed during inspection.
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Animal welfare activists, however, remain unconvinced and have accused the administration of downplaying the issue. "How can a report that admits to eight deaths conclude that everything was done properly? There needs to be accountability, not just paperwork," said an activist, requesting anonymity.
Critics have demanded a fresh investigation by a neutral body.
Rajasthan-based polo player Lavanya Shekhawat, who initially raised concerns over the horses' condition, said: "I am deeply disappointed with this so-called investigation.
It is not justice—it's a whitewash."
"We have sworn testimonies from doctors and veterinarians confirming that the horses were left without proper food for three to four months. Their medical reports detail animals in terrible condition, carrying untreated, deep wounds. Many have died. Yet the committee refuses to fix responsibility or take meaningful action. Even the transport — portrayed in the report as 'smooth' — was anything but.
It was chaotic and risk-laden, further endangering lives.
Everything has been smoothed over, covered up, and pushed aside. This isn't what I fought for. These animals suffered horribly, and those responsible must be held accountable. Justice must actually be served — not merely spoken about," she said.
While Sachin Tiwari has yet to make a public statement, sources confirmed that the surviving horses are under his care at the Amkhera property.

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