Gujarat: Muslim Driver Battles for Life After Brutal Assault by Cow Vigilantes

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Police have registered an FIR against cow vigilantes Nirav Patel, Bharat Bharvad and Neha Patel under IPC Sections 307, 323, 324 and 114 at the Panoli police station in Bharuch.

Waquar Hasan | Clarion India

NEW DELHI – A 33-year-old Muslim driver is battling for life in a hospital after he was brutally assaulted by cow vigilantes in Gujarat’s Bharuch district on Tuesday.

Aslam Ghafur Multani was attacked by a group of 8-10 people as he was transporting cattle. As a result of severe thrashing Multani fell unconscious and was thrown near a jungle by his assaulters.

Multani’s family members became aware of his pitiable condition when they saw a video showing his ordeal, Wasim, a relative of Multani, told Clarion India over the phone.

“He was transporting cattle in his vehicle. Cow vigilantes stopped him en route. When he tried to escape, they nabbed him and assaulted him badly. He received serious injuries. He has cut marks on his face, neck, hand, and several other parts. He suffered a brain hemorrhage because of the beating,” Wasim said.

The incident happened in Bharan village of Ankleshwar Taluka. A viral video showed the victim lying unconscious near a jungle.

On Wednesday, the police registered an FIR against cow vigilantes Nirav Patel, Bharat Bharvad and Neha Patel under IPC Sections 307, 323, 324 and 114 at the Panoli police station in Bharuch.

Neha Patel is the leader of the cow vigilante group in Vadodara.

Multani’s family members alleged that the FIR was registered after a lot of pressure on the local police. “After so much struggle, the FIR was registered. It took hours,” said Wasim. 

Multani, a father of two young daughters, drove a pick-up and also used to work as a labourer. His condition continues to be critical, Wasim said. 

“We demand stiff punishment for those who attacked Multani. They just attacked him but did not take legal action against him. The assault is not acceptable, Wasim said and questioned the locus standii of the attackers in taking the law into their hands.

Bilal Kagzi, an advocate at the Gujarat High Court who is following this case, said that cow vigilantes have no legal right to intercept people. “The law does not allow them to attack somebody. The so-called gau rakshaks (cow saviours) have no legal right to take action against anyone. The law and order system has failed in this country, In the name of religion many people are being killed by anti-social elements. Neha Patel is a habitual offender and she should be booked under the Preventive Detention Act,” said Kagzi while talking to Clarion India.

The government should constitute a Special Investigation Team to investigate all cases related to attacks by cow vigilantes in India, he added.

Kagzi said that he is following other cases related to cow vigilante attacks in Gujarat. The cases involve an attack on an Aadivasi man, he said.

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