Muslim businessman beaten to death by Hindutva mob in Haryana
On 25 January, a Muslim businessman, Yusuf, who was in his 40s, was beaten to death by a Hindutva mob in Palwal, Haryana, after he was falsely accused of cow smuggling.
His driver, Ravi, was also severely injured in the attack.
According to reports, the two were transporting a cow and its calf when a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes intercepted them near the Aurangabad-Mitrol bus stand, accusing them of smuggling the animals for slaughter. The mob launched a violent assault, and Yusuf succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
The police had initially registered a case of assault. However, after Yusuf died during treatment, his family brought his body to Mundkati police station on Sunday, demanding the arrest of those who had thrashed him.
Haryana police have registered a murder case against 10 individuals, but no arrests have been made so far.
Meanwhile, both Yusuf and Ravi were booked by the police. An FIR was lodged against them under sections of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, on the basis of a complaint filed by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Rajinder Singh. It said the police received a call on Friday reporting that a group of people had stopped a vehicle near Aurangabad village and found three cows inside.
Yusuf was a resident of Ghudpur village under the Mundkati police station in Haryana's Palwal district. According to the police sources, Yusuf was a cattle trader. He ran a milk business and had about 30 animals at his house, PTI news agency reported.
The village sarpanch said Yusuf had no dispute with anyone and was always busy with his business. Yusuf leaves behind four children and the family demanded the government provide them financial help, according to PTI.
The attack has sparked outrage, deepening fears of rising Hindutva violence in Palwal. Local activists and shopkeepers have expressed concerns over escalating tensions.
Haryana’s stringent Cow Protection and Cow Promotion Bill, enacted in 2015, mandates harsh penalties for cow slaughter, further fueling communal tensions.
