Mathura Erupts in Violence Following Seer's Tragic Death, Multiple FIRs Filed
Agra/Mathura: The aftermath of a fatal road accident involving a 65-year-old seer on the Delhi-Agra National Highway in Mathura has plunged the district into chaos, resulting in widespread violence, multiple arrests, and a significant law enforcement response. Four First Information Reports (FIRs) have been officially lodged, and authorities have confirmed the arrest of at least 20 individuals following Sunday's tumultuous events.
Rumors of Cow Smuggling Ignite Protests and Clashes
The incident traces back to Saturday morning, when seer Chandrashekhar, popularly known as ‘Farsa Wale Baba’, was tragically killed in a road accident in the Kosikalan area. Unverified rumors quickly spread alleging that the seer was "killed by cow smugglers," which incited public outrage and led to violent protests in the Chhatta area on Sunday.
These protests escalated into severe clashes with police personnel, causing major disruptions to traffic on the busy national highway for over three hours. Twenty police officers sustained injuries due to stone-pelting, and several official vehicles were damaged during the confrontation.
Detailed Breakdown of the Four FIRs Registered
Police authorities have filed FIRs across three different police stations in Mathura, naming 27 specific accused individuals and approximately 250-300 unnamed persons for their involvement in blocking the highway and engaging in violent activities.
- FIR by Chhatta SHO Kamlesh Singh: This report details the injuries to 20 police personnel, including SHOs from various Mathura thanas, and damage to seven vehicles belonging to administrative and police officials such as the ADM, SDM, and SP (Rural). The case has been registered under stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- BNS 109 (Attempt to Murder)
- BNS 190 (Unlawful Assembly)
- BNS 191 (Rioting)
- BNS 132 (Criminal Force to Deter Public Servant)
- FIR by SI Madan Singh in Barsana: This separate FIR targets prime accused Daksh Chaudhary and his associates, alleging they entered Mathura district from Ghaziabad with the intention of spreading rumors to incite rioting. Daksh Chaudhary has since been arrested.
- FIR by the Seer's Followers in Kosikalan: Filed under BNS 281 (Rash Driving) and BNS 106(1) (Death by Negligence), this report names truck driver Khursheed Anwar, who also died in the same accident that claimed the seer's life.
- FIR by VHP Member Kanhaiya Lal Agrawal: This complaint accuses "anti-social elements and cow smugglers" of deliberately provoking the stone-pelting incident that led to the violence.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Actions
Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar stated that preliminary investigations indicate Daksh Chaudhary, an outsider, played a key role in spreading false rumors and obstructing government work. "More miscreants are being identified via CCTV footage, and they will be arrested soon," Kumar emphasized, highlighting the ongoing efforts to apprehend additional suspects involved in the violence.
The tragic sequence began around 4 AM on Saturday amid dense fog conditions. Chandrashekhar, who operated cow shelters in Mathura, had stopped a Nagaland-registered container truck on the highway based on information that cows were being transported. However, the container was found to be carrying toiletries. During the inspection, a speeding truck driven by Khursheed Anwar collided with the stationary vehicle and subsequently ran over the seer, leading to his immediate death.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of rumors in sensitive regions and the swift escalation from tragedy to large-scale public disorder, prompting a robust legal and police response to restore order and ensure accountability.
