A group of cow vigilantes allegedly lynched a 23-year-old man to death while he was transporting cattle in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, following which six persons have been arrested.
According to the reports, the victim is a man named Lukman Ansari and his body was recovered from a gorge at Ghatandevi in the Igatpuri area. This is when the alleged crime came to light to the local police.
Reportedly the police have taken into custody six men who are part of the 'gau rakshaks' or cow vigilantes so far and a search is on for more accused in the case. All the accused persons were associated with the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, a right-wing outfit, a police official told the media .
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The police also informed the media that Ansari along with his two aides was transporting cattle on their tempo on June 8 when they were intercepted by about 10-15 “activists” at Vihigaon in Sahapur of Thane district.
Reports say that the group then took control of the tempo and “rescued” four bovine animals before driving the vehicle towards Ghatandevi in Igatpuri.
They stopped the tempo at a secluded place and allegedly started assaulting all three. While his aides managed to flee, Ansari could not escape, reportedly.
According to the reports, the accused have claimed that Ansari lost his life after he fell into a gorge, police suspect he died due to the beating.
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Police have registered two cases, including one under section 302 (murder), of the Indian Penal Code, reportedly.
(With PTI inputs)
