Preparations for protests against cow slaughter were reportedly made in advance, leading investigators to suspect part of the plan to ‘trigger tension and create a political narrative’
BIJNOR — Police in Bijnor district say they have uncovered an alleged conspiracy to stage a cow slaughter to incite communal tension and falsely implicate a Muslim man for political gain.
The accused is Jagpal, village head of Changipur, who police allege orchestrated the plan to trap his political rival, Hasan.
According to officials, Jagpal allegedly intended to use last week’s incident to create unrest in the Noorpur police station area and damage Hasan’s reputation by having him booked in a cow slaughter case.
Details of the Alleged Plot
Police claim Jagpal enlisted several people to carry out the act: Faizan, Zubair, and Salman were allegedly brought in to conduct the slaughter and Brahmpal allegedly arranged a calf for the operation. The animal was reportedly taken to a field owned by Ramavatar, where the slaughter was to be staged.
Investigators describe the operation as “pre-planned and carefully coordinated.”
Mobilisation Before the Act
Police further allege that Jagpal mobilised local Hindu organisations before the slaughter was completed. Preparations for protests against cow slaughter were reportedly made in advance, leading investigators to suspect that the public outrage and reaction were also part of the plan to “trigger tension and create a political narrative.”
Police Intervention and Arrests
After members of Hindu groups created a ruckus over the alleged cow slaughter, police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. A deeper probe then revealed the suspected conspiracy, officials said.
Based on evidence collected, police arrested Jagpal, his brother Kiranpal alias Lala, Ramavatar, Brahmpal, and Faizan.
Broader Context
Cow slaughter is banned in Uttar Pradesh under the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, amended in 2020. Police data shows large-scale enforcement: between January 2024 and September 2025, 699 cow slaughter cases were registered across the state, leading to 2,279 arrests.
False or staged cases have also drawn action. In separate incidents, police have suspended personnel and arrested individuals for fabricating cow slaughter tips or planting evidence due to personal or political rivalry. In one 2024 Moradabad case, a Bajrang Dal leader and others were arrested for allegedly slaughtering cows to falsely implicate a Muslim man and pressure police.
Under the name of cow protection, Hindu groups, often enjoying official apathy, have extorted money from Muslim cattle traders, assaulted them and in several cases even lynched them. Law enforcement agencies have been found to be either looking away and, in some instances, even victimising the victims by filing fictitious cases against them.
As of Monday, there are no new public updates from Bijnor Police on the status of the trial or chargesheet against Jagpal and the other accused in the Changipur case. The arrests remain the last official action reported.
