Pune Police File FIR Against Suspected Cow Vigilantes for Assaulting Driver
In a disturbing incident in Pune, the Wanowrie police have officially registered a case against five to six individuals, suspected to be cow vigilantes, for allegedly assaulting a 54-year-old driver who was transporting buffaloes. The attack occurred near Lullanagar on Sunday, highlighting ongoing tensions around animal transport in the region.
Details of the Assault and Police Response
According to police reports, the accused intercepted the vehicle around 1 pm, under the suspicion of illegal cow transport. They allegedly dragged the driver out of his vehicle and physically assaulted him. The driver, identified as Papa Fakhruddin Shaikh, recounted to TOI that he was attacked not only near Lullanagar but also later at the police station itself.
Shaikh stated, "I was transporting buffaloes from Market Yard to Keshavnagar for a milk farmer when two people in a four-wheeler stopped my vehicle near a gas station and assaulted me, claiming I was transporting cows for slaughter." He managed to escape initially but was later called to the police station by the buffalo owner, who assured him all documents were in order.
Upon arriving at the station, Shaikh found a group had gathered. "They dragged me from my vehicle and assaulted me again. Police intervened, noting CCTV footage outside the station, after which the accused fled," he added. Shaikh was subsequently taken to Sassoon Hospital, where medical tests, including an X-ray, confirmed swelling in his rib cage.
Legal Actions and Investigations
Police have confirmed that only buffaloes were being legally transported from the market to the milk farmer's cattle shed. Sub-inspector Shekhar Mokate revealed that one person has been named in the First Information Report (FIR), while four to five others remain unidentified at this time.
A case has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including charges for wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation. In a related development, a separate FIR was filed against the driver and vehicle owner under relevant sections for alleged violation of animal transport norms, adding complexity to the legal proceedings.
Political and Social Reactions
Taj Siddiqui of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has criticized the handling of the case, alleging a delay in filing the FIR. "The vehicle carried seven buffaloes with all documents in order. Despite the assault at the police station, the victim waited nearly three hours before his statement was recorded," he said.
Siddiqui further expressed concern over the rising frequency of such incidents, particularly in rural areas. "Authorities acting as mute spectators embolden these elements instead of curbing these crimes," he emphasized, calling for stricter enforcement and accountability to prevent future occurrences.
This case underscores the broader issues of vigilante violence and legal compliance in animal transport, prompting calls for enhanced police vigilance and community awareness in Pune and beyond.
