Two Muslim men have been sent to jail in Bihar’s Madhepura district on charges of cow smuggling, cattle theft and animal cruelty after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of vigilantes, with the police response to the incident drawing criticism from farmers, families and local residents.
The victims, Mohammad Bhopal, 55, a cattle trader, and Mohammad Owais, 38, a driver, were detained on April 5 in the Bihariganj police station area while transporting cattle in a pickup vehicle. Family members allege the two were intercepted and beaten by members of a local group before being handed over to police, who later filed charges against them.
Police have denied knowledge of any assault and said the case was registered based on available evidence, but multiple farmers have disputed the allegations and said the cattle had been sold legally, raising questions about whether due process was followed.
Police said a case had been registered under provisions related to animal cruelty and illegal cattle transport. Station House Officer Krishna Kumar Singh said the two men failed to provide satisfactory proof regarding the origin of the cattle.
“When asked where the cattle came from, they could not give a convincing answer or produce documents,” Singh said. He also denied that any farmers had come forward to confirm the sale of the animals.
However, this account has been strongly contested by five farmers from Lakshmipur Lalchand panchayat, who said they had sold the cattle to Bhopal and had conveyed this to the police.
“We have been selling cattle to him for 10 to 15 years. These animals were ours and were being taken to the market,” one of the farmers said. “There is no question of theft or smuggling.”
The farmers said they visited the police station after the incident and provided statements confirming ownership of the cattle, along with their names and addresses. They allege that despite recording these details, police chose to proceed with charges.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of vigilante groups and the police response. Family members of the accused allege that the two men were intercepted by 15 to 20 members of a local Bajrang Dal group shortly after leaving the village with seven cattle purchased from local farmers.
Mohammad Shahnawaz, Bhopal’s son, said the group followed the vehicle, stopped it near Chai Tola, and took the two men to a nearby wooded area, where they were beaten for nearly an hour.
“I called the police station and pleaded for help,” he said, adding that the officer in charge did not respond to his request.
Shahnawaz said he then contacted the emergency helpline, after which a police team arrived. However, he alleged that the police not only accepted the vigilantes’ claims without verification but also failed to prevent further assault.
According to him, the two men were beaten again in the presence of police personnel before being taken to the station.
Police denied any knowledge of such an assault and said no complaint or evidence had been brought to their attention. They also said they were not aware of any video of the incident circulating on social media.
A video purportedly showing the assault has been widely shared in the district, though its authenticity could not be independently verified.
The families of the accused say the police response raises serious concerns. They allege that despite visible injuries, the two men were sent to jail without adequate medical examination or treatment.
“They were beaten and then jailed. No one listened to us,” a family member said. “We are worried about their safety.”
Local residents also questioned the police action, saying the two men had long been involved in legitimate cattle trading.
“They have been buying cattle from farmers and selling them in markets for years,” said a resident. “If the farmers themselves are saying the animals were sold, how can this be called theft?”
Police, however, maintained that their कार्रवाई (action) was based on available information and that due process had been followed in registering the case.
Legal experts and local observers say the case highlights a recurring pattern in which allegations of cow smuggling are acted upon quickly, sometimes without thorough verification of ownership or intent.
They also pointed to the absence of any case against those accused of carrying out the alleged assault, despite claims that the incident was recorded and shared online.
“The lack of action on the assault, if proven, raises questions about whether the law is being applied evenly,” one local observer said.
The families of the accused have appealed to district authorities, including the Superintendent of Police, to conduct an impartial investigation into both the charges and the alleged assault.