New Delhi, Oct. 9: Sangeet Som, a riot-accused BJP lawmaker, had purchased land for a meat processing unit in Aligarh in 2005, a senior police officer from Uttar Pradesh said today.

According to the officer, Som was among the directors of Al Dua Food Processing till March 2008.

The website of Al Dua describes it as a "leading producer and exporter of halal meat from India" and a specialist in the export of "quality halal buffalo, sheep/lamb, goat meat and hides".

Some BJP ministers and outfits associated with the Sangh parivar have been running a campaign against meat consumption.

Som, an accused in the Muzaffarnagar riot case, said he had purchased the land a few years ago but claimed that he was unaware of being appointed as a director of the company.

"I purchased the land which was sold to Al Dua Food Processing after a few months," he said.

He asked how purchasing a property could be illegal. Som claimed that purchasing the land did not mean he was involved in establishing the meat factory.

"I am a Hindu and hence there is no chance of getting involved in activities which are against my religion," said Som, claiming he would quit politics if his role in the factory was proved.

"Al Dua's annual report for 2007 shows that Som served as a director of the company from December 12, 2005. He resigned from the position in March 2008. The registry document states the land in Aligarh was purchased on December 26, 2005, when Som was one of Al Dua's directors," said a senior police officer.

Defying prohibitory orders, Som had visited Bisara village on Sunday. A resident of the village, Mohammed Akhlaque, was lynched by a mob on September 28 following unsubstantiated claims that a cow was slaughtered and the meat stored in his home.