In a remarkable case blending traditional dispute with modern science, police in Rajasthan's Kota district recently turned to veterinarians to settle a contentious argument over the ownership of a buffalo and her calf. The unusual standoff was finally resolved not by documents or witness statements, but by a close examination of the animal's dental structure.
A Month-Long Search Ends in a Confrontation
The story began when Ram Lal, a resident of Narayan Vihar, reported his buffalo and her calf missing approximately one month ago. After weeks of fruitless searching, his luck changed two days ago. Lal spotted the animals tied inside the enclosure of a man named Indrajit Kewat in the Ramchandrapura Margiya Basti area.
Lal immediately confronted Kewat, asserting the animals were his. Kewat, however, firmly rejected the claim. He stated he had purchased the buffalo from Badi village nearly two years prior and that the animal was around seven years old. With both men adamant, the disagreement quickly escalated.
Police Intervention and a Scientific Solution
The conflicting parties brought their dispute to the Kunhadi police station on Saturday. Circle Inspector Kaushalya explained that during preliminary inquiries, both men presented their versions. Ram Lal insisted the buffalo was only four to five years old and had recently given birth, while Indrajit Kewat maintained it was a seven-year-old animal.
Faced with a deadlock, the police decided to seek expert opinion. They constituted a veterinary medical board and transported the buffalo to the government veterinary hospital in Kota's Mokhapada area for a professional examination.
The Verdict Lies in the Teeth
Veterinarians conducted a thorough check, focusing on the animal's teeth and overall physical condition. Their expert analysis provided a clear conclusion: the buffalo was approximately four to five years old, not seven as claimed by Indrajit Kewat.
This scientific evidence became the cornerstone of the police decision. Based on the veterinary medical report and other supporting details, the authorities ruled in favour of Ram Lal. Late on Saturday evening, the buffalo and her calf were officially handed over to him.
Case Closed on a Note of Scientific Resolution
The other claimant, Indrajit Kewat, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. Police asked him to produce any evidence to substantiate his ownership claim. When he failed to provide any, the matter was formally closed, confirming Ram Lal as the rightful owner.
Officers noted that this peculiar case served as a reminder that even the most traditional disputes can benefit from a scientific approach. In the end, the age-old method of checking an animal's teeth provided the modern resolution needed to settle the conflict.
