Madhya Pradesh BJP Leader Accused Of Framing Cow Vigilantes, Viral Audio Sparks Row

An undated audio recording, allegedly featuring a conversation between a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM)-the youth wing of the ruling BJP-and a police officer, has stirred up a political firestorm in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni.

In the now-viral clip, the BJYM leader, Mayur Dubey, can supposedly be heard conspiring with Kanhiwada police station chief Omeshwar Thackeray to frame activists from a Hindu organisation.

Dubey allegedly talks about concocting a tale to ensnare rivals who are "doing wrong things in the name of Hindutva," even discussing funding and orchestrating a scheme to lure them with interstate cow smugglers as bait.

"We will give money, bear all expenses... Send a WhatsApp message to your personal number, the car shouldn't stop anywhere... This is advance, the rest in cash... Later, we will drag and beat those who complained against you or me," Dubey is purportedly heard saying.

In a separate recording, the police officer allegedly informs Dubey that senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) figures have been briefed about the dubious actions of certain individuals, notably Madhav Dubey and Deepak Yadav, both tied to Hindu groups.

One.in has not verified the authenticity of the audio clips, but the Seoni Superintendent of Police confirmed that steps have been taken.

"I was informed about the matter Saturday morning. An inquiry led by the ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police) has been ordered to verify the audio. The station in-charge has been removed to ensure impartiality," he said.

The alleged audio suggests tensions between the BJYM and other Hindu outfits like the Gau Rakshak Brigade, and points to a possible alliance between the police and cow smugglers.

Seoni serves as a major corridor for cow smuggling from Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Last year, it recorded the highest number of cow smuggling incidents in the state-over 55 cases, with 99 arrests and the seizure of more than 1,300 animals.

In June 2024, the gruesome discovery of 54 mutilated cow carcasses in local forests sparked widespread unrest, leading to the removal of the district collector and a senior police officer.

Back in 2022, two tribal men were killed by cow vigilantes in Seoni's Kurai region.