INDORE — Authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against two Muslim men arrested in connection with a cow slaughter case registered on Eid Al-Adha (Bakrid), May 29.
The case has drawn attention because all four accused are Muslim, and the incident was linked by police to Eid Al-Adha. The NSA, which allows preventive detention without formal charges for up to 12 months, is typically reserved for threats to national security or public order.
Police filed a case against four men: Qadir, Imran, Hashim, and Mohammad Abad, alleging cow slaughter on Eid day. Qadir was arrested at the scene. Mohammad Abad was arrested later. Imran and Hashim remain absconding as of Wednesday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Umakant Chaudhary confirmed: “A case was registered against four men on charges of cow slaughter on Eid day. One accused was arrested immediately, while others were on the run.”
After the arrests, the Superintendent of Police submitted a report to the district collector recommending action under the NSA. On Tuesday (June 2), the district collector ordered NSA proceedings against Qadir and Mohammad Abad.
DSP Chaudhary stated: “The collector has ordered NSA proceedings against the accused. Further action will be taken as per the law.”
Officials said the accused have multiple previous cases registered against them, including past allegations related to cow slaughter and disturbing public order.
Police have also invoked provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act and the Arms Act in this case.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed for a speedy investigation. Police teams have been deployed across the district to trace Imran and Hashim.
The use of NSA in a cow slaughter case involving Muslim accused highlights ongoing debates around the application of stringent laws in cases tied to religious practice and cattle protection laws in Madhya Pradesh.
The Mhow case isn’t isolated. The state government has repeatedly invoked NSA for cow slaughter allegations, especially when authorities cite communal tension or repeat offenses:
In June 2024, NSA was invoked against Shadab Khan and Wahid Khan after carcasses of 40+ cows were found in a river and forest area in Seoni. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called it a “barbaric killing” and ordered a CID probe. Seoni collector and SP were also transferred.
NSA was invoked against Salman, Shakir, Shahrukh, and Naushad in June 2023 on allegations of slaughtering a cow and throwing body parts into Jaora’s Jaagnath Mahadev Temple in Ratlam. Police said it led to “communal tensions and vandalism.” Naushad had 28 prior cases, mostly animal cruelty.
Also in June 2024, the stringent law was invoked against Asgar and Retua after beef and cow skin were seized from a house in Bengali Colony in Morena’s Noorabad. In all, six Muslims were arrested and the homes of the two accused were also demolished.
Last December, NSA was invoked against the prime accused, Aslam Qureshi alias Chamda, in a 26.5-tonne beef trafficking case. NSA was invoked within 24 hours of his getting bail.
