Seven injured as cow vigilantes assault cattle transporters in Maharashtra’s Jalna
Jalna: In a shocking case of cow vigilantism, seven men, including a 62-year-old, were injured after being assaulted by a mob in Jalna district of Maharashtra late Monday night. The victims, who were transporting cattle purchased from a weekly market, were attacked by a group of unidentified assailants accusing them of taking the animals for slaughter.
According to police sources, the complainant, a 62-year-old man, said his employer, trader Padam Rajput of Borgaon Wadi in Sillod tehsil, had bought 21 bulls from the Wadod Bazaar in Phulambri tehsil. The cattle were being transported in two vehicles, MH-20 EL 7887 and KA 51 DA 4363, to Nalegaon in Latur district’s Chakur tehsil.
When the vehicles reached Londewadi village in Jalna tehsil, the attackers allegedly intercepted them and began beating the transporters with sticks and logs. Despite the victims’ claim that the cattle were for agricultural purposes and that they possessed valid purchase documents, the assault continued.
Police later arrived at the scene, rescued the injured men, and seized the cattle, which were sent to a cow shelter in Ramnagar. However, the complainant alleged that the same group followed them to the shelter and continued the assault even in the presence of police officers.
Social worker Reema Kale-Kharat, who later intervened, accused the police of initially detaining the victims and filing a case against them under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act instead of acting against the attackers. Following her intervention, the police registered an FIR against 10 to 20 unidentified persons for the assault.
The injured were identified as Nisar Patel, Asif Shaikh, Riyaz Qureshi, Sajid Pasha, Asif Sadiq, Javed Qureshi, and Sayyed Parvez, all of whom sustained head and body injuries.
Complainant Nisar Patel alleged that the assailants arrived in a Scorpio vehicle and continued attacking them even at the cow shelter. “How can the police register a case against unidentified persons when we clearly saw who attacked us?” Patel asked, further claiming that the police detained them for nearly 12 hours before taking their complaint.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Anant Kulkarni denied that the assault occurred in the presence of police officers. “There was some dispute between the two parties, and we are investigating the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) Jalna unit condemned the incident and demanded immediate action against the attackers. FMM convenor Safir Ahmed recalled that in August 2025, the Maharashtra Police, following directions from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, had issued a circular stating that only police are authorized to act against illegal transportation of animals.
The circular explicitly prohibits private individuals or cow vigilante groups from stopping or checking vehicles transporting cattle. Despite this directive, Safir alleged, such vigilante attacks continue unabated in several parts of the state.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Regret participating in 'movement' that vilified ex-PM Manmohan Singh: Prashant Bhushan
New Delhi: Senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan has expressed regret over his past role in political movements that, he said, contributed to the vilification of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Bhushan made the remarks in a post on social media on the first death anniversary of Manmohan Singh.
In his post, Bhushan described Manmohan Singh as “a humble, decent, well educated and well meaning man,” adding that the former prime minister’s humility and decency were “seen as a weakness.” He said he regretted having participated in a movement that helped discredit Singh and, in his words, “helped a rogue regime come to power.”
Bhushan’s statement is widely seen as a reference to the anti-corruption movement that gained momentum during the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, when Manmohan Singh was prime minister. The movement, led by civil society activists, had targeted corruption allegations against the government and eventually reshaped India’s political landscape. Critics have since argued that the campaign contributed to undermining Singh’s leadership and paved the way for a change in government at the Centre.
Manmohan Singh, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his low-profile style, technocratic approach and role in shaping India’s economic reforms.
He was a humble, decent, well educated & well meaning man. His humility & decency was seen as a weakness.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) December 26, 2025
I regret having participated in a movement that vilified him & helped a rogue regime come to power pic.twitter.com/6JWOrdCZdE
