Gau rakshaks behind bars, victim bailed

Nagpur: A local court in Narkhed taluka on Monday granted bail to accused Salim Ismail Shah who allegedly ferried beef in Bharsingi village in the district, at a distance of about 50 km. Interestingly, the cow vigilante quartet from a local organisation was denied bail and sent to prison by the same court.

Police inspector Sanjay Purandare of the local crime branch told The Asian Age that Shah was produced before the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) in Narkhed on Monday and subsequently released on bail. The four cow vigilantes identified as: Moreshwar Tandullkar, Jagdish Choudhary, Ashwini Uikey and Rameshwar Taiwade – were arrested by Jalakheda police.

A chemical analysis by the regional forensic laboratory (RFL) confirmed that the meat found with Shah in the dickey of his two-wheeler was from a “cow or its progeny”. The police on receipt of the RFL report booked Shah who was undergoing treatment at the state-run Mayo general hospital after being beaten by the four accused in Bharsingi village last week. Upon discharge, Shah was promptly taken into custody by Jalakheda police under relevant sections. The four “gau rakshaks” were also rounded up for beating Shah in public instead of handing him to the police. Shah was with the minority cell of BJP and found carrying 15 kg beef.

The incident occurred in a Nagpur rural district on July 12. Shah (34) suffered injuries to his neck and face.