Muslim driver beaten and looted by cow vigilantes, booked by police later
By Muslim Mirror Staff
New Delhi: A group of cow vigilantes allegedly beat up a Muslim driver in near Tanikodu in Sringeri taluk in the early hours of January 8. The incident took place in the early hours of 8 January when the driver identified as Abid Ali was transporting 12 to 15 cattle in his truck. They also looted ₹22,000 cash and two mobile phones.
However, instead of strict action against the assailants, the local police filed a case against Ali on charges of transporting cattle with no safety measures under the new Ordinance promulgated by the State government banning cow slaughter. This is said to be the first case in the State after the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance, 2020, was enforced, The Hindu (TH) reported.
Abid Ali is now undergoing treatment for multiple fractures at his hometown Davangere. He was expected to undergo surgery on Thursday. He told TH that he cannot go to work for at least seven to eight months. He is the only bread earner of his family with three children.
Ali said he was carrying cattle from Ranebennur in Haveri district to Mangaluru. A person from Mangaluru had purchased the cattle in Ranebennur and he hired his truck to transport them.
He stated that he had all necessary documents to show that he was transporting cattle with permits issued by the RMC yard officials and a certificate issued by a veterinarian in Ranebennur. ”I was told the cattle were being taken for agriculture purposes, not to a slaughterhouse. I had the documents to show that nothing was illegal in transporting them,” Abid Ali said.
Speaking to TH, Siddaramappa, Police Inspector of Sringeri, said the case had been registered and investigation was on.
Concerning the assault case, the officer said the police had identified the attackers and one of them had been arrested. ”I cannot disclose the names of the attackers. We have identified them and arrested one,” he said.
