‘Gai hamari mata hai, police hamare baap’: 2 cow slaughter accused paraded in public by Madhya Pradesh police

The two men were identified as Salim and Aqib.

Officials said they received information about the alleged cow slaughter and registered a case. “Some people saw them tying a cow and tried to catch them, but they escaped under the cover of darkness,” an officer claimed.

Days before the arrest, several right-wing groups had mounted pressure on the police to arrest the accused. Following their arrest, right-wing activists garlanded the Ghatiya police station in charge and other officers.

Police said they acted on a tip-off, seizing a vehicle, mobile phones, and alleged cow meat. Asked if the tip-off came from right-wing groups, Sharma said he was not aware.

According to the police, the two arrested men and another person were spotted around midnight on February 16 near Jaithal village, along with an SUV and a tied-up cow. Local police were alerted, and some locals tried to apprehend the accused, but they allegedly managed to escape.

A case has been registered under Sections 4, 6, and 9 of the MP Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Adhiniyam, 2004. The men were arrested on March 3 near Indore and are currently in judicial custody.