The violent lynching of an Indian cattle farmer by "cow vigilantes" combined with unsympathetic local police who "took a tea break" and may have tortured the man to death, has sparked a massive backlash throughout the country over the ongoing problem - resulting in the Supreme Court stepping in, according to the Indian Express.
Akbar Kahn, 28, died of shock and internal bleeding after he and two other men were attacked by the gang of Hindus in Alwar district, Rajasthan state while transporting two cows on foot Friday. Villagers, who thought the men were smuggling the cows, formed into a mob and intercepted them - however at least one eyewitness says that he may have been tortured by police before arriving at the hospital.
The police came to the rescue of the Akbar and made him sit inside the police van. According to Naval, he had accompanied them for most of their three-hour long journey in the area before Akbar was taken to a community health centre where he was declared brought dead.
Police then filed an FIR which clearly shows that Akbar was taken to the community health centre directly from the crime scene where he was declared dead. But according to Naval’s version, who also clicked the photo of Akbar sitting inside the police van, the victim was fine and had not suffered grieveous injuries. Naval said that he had parted his ways when the police stopped mid-way for a tea break. Naval said that he might have been tortured by the police before being taken to the hospital. -Financial Express
Local Congressional MP Karan S Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the crime. “Police and cow vigilantes are hands in glove in this matter. It was the duty of the police to take him to the hospital immediately. Police have played a suspicious role. This is a case of not only mass lynching but also custodial death.”
As a result of the inquiry, one police official, sub-inspector Mohan Singh, was suspended, while two other officers were transferred to another department.
The murder is the latest in a spate of 23 lynchings over the past two months based on viral accusations circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, while cow vigilantes have been attacking people for years.
The atrocities have steadily been mounting. In September 2015, Mohammad Akhlaq was hanged over rumors that he killed a cow and refrigerated its meat. A month later, 16-year-old Zahid Rasool Bhaat was slain by vigilante groups. In March of this year, suspected cattle traders Muhammed Majloom and Azad Khan were lynched. In April, 55-year old dairy farmer Pehlu Khan was accused of smuggling cows and was brutally beaten to death. In May, traders were assaulted for alleged beef storage, and Abu Hanifa and Riazuddin Ali were killed for purportedly stealing cattle. In...