Man Allegedly Lynched by Mob in Maharashtra for Suspected Beef Smuggling, Say Police

In an unfortunate incident in Nashik district, Maharashtra, a man was brutally beaten to death on Saturday night by a group of individuals believed to be cow vigilantes. The victim, identified as Afan Ansari, a 32-year-old resident of Mumbai's Kurla area, was accompanied by his associate Nasir Sheikh and was reportedly transporting cattle meat in a car when they were intercepted and assaulted by the mob.

Both Ansari and Sheikh were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Regrettably, Ansari succumbed to his injuries during the course of the treatment, according to the police.

Sub-inspector Sunil Bhamre, who responded to the incident, stated, "Upon reaching the scene, we found the car in a damaged state. The injured men were inside the vehicle, and we immediately admitted them to a nearby hospital where one of them tragically passed away."

The police have apprehended ten individuals thus far in connection with the case. Based on the complaint filed by the injured survivor, the police have registered a case of murder and rioting, and an investigation is underway, as stated by the authorities.

The verification of whether the individuals were indeed involved in the transportation of beef or not can only be confirmed once the laboratory report is obtained, they further added.

Earlier in March, the Maharashtra government sanctioned the establishment of a commission to enforce the ban on cow slaughter, following the Bombay High Court's validation of the law prohibiting the slaughter of cattle. The court ruled that a competent authority has the right to enter, halt, and search any vehicle suspected of being used for cow, bull, or bullock export, with the power to seize such vehicles. The court also upheld the prohibition on transporting flesh for the purpose of slaughter.