“Small-time meat traders should be provided security because they are often targeted by cow vigilantes on the suspicion of carrying beef..."

Four Assaulted in Aligarh Over False Beef Suspicion; Lab Confirms Buffalo Meat, Attackers Arrested

On Saturday, 24 May, four individuals were attacked on suspicion of carrying beef in their vehicle in the Harduaganj area of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

On Tuesday, the report from the Veterinary Lab in Mathura confirmed that the sample sent for testing from the incident did not belong to a "cow or any cow progeny," an official said. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal units in Aligarh have distanced themselves from any involvement.

 “We have got the report from the Mathura lab confirming that the sample sent for testing was buffalo meat, and not beef, as alleged by those who stopped the vehicle and beat up the four occupants,” SSP (rural), Aligarh, Amrit Jain said.

As of now four people have been arrested in the case.

“Investigation is ongoing and we are identifying those who created a ruckus on the Delhi-Kanpur highway on Saturday after stopping the vehicle and thrashing its occupants. CCTV footage is being scanned, while three accused were arrested and sent to jail on Monday evening. Another accused has been arrested today,”  SSP Jain added.

As per report in Hindustan Times, on May 24, Kishan Pathak, district president of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Sena, stated that four individuals allegedly carrying beef were caught and handed over to the police.

Based on a complaint given by a local villager, Vijay Bajrangi, a case was registered against the four individual at the Harduaganj police station under sections 3, 5 and 8 of The Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, the report said.

The report also said, that on the complaint of Salim Khan, the father of one of the accused, Aqeel, another case was registerred against 13 named and 20-25 unidentified accused involved in the attack.

The case was registered under sections 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting with deadly weapon), 190 (unlawful assembly), 109 (attempt to murder), 308(5) (extortion), 310(2) (dacoity), 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

SSP (Rural) Amrit Jain made it clear, as per the report, that following the lab results, the case registered against the victims would be withdrawn.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal units in Aligarh denied involvement in the incident.

On Monday, opposition parties condemned and demanded action against those who beaten up four individuals on the suspicion of carrying beef.

“Small-time meat traders should be provided security because they are often targeted by cow vigilantes on the suspicion of carrying beef, and false cases are filed against them,” Laxmi Dhangar, district president of the Samajwadi Party in Aligarh, said.

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