A 37-year-old man, Mohammad Shahidin Qureshi, died after being attacked by a mob over allegations of cow slaughter. Days after the incident, police arrested his associate, Mohammad Adnan (29), but have not made any arrests in the murder case.
The attack took place in the early hours of December 30 in Majhola Mandi. Police say Qureshi and Adnan were accused of slaughtering an ox. Adnan managed to escape, but Qureshi was severely beaten. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and died on January 1.
Additional Superintendent of Police Kumar Ran Vijay Singh told The Indian Express, “We are investigating the case. So far, we have not been able to arrest anybody involved in the mob attack.”
Police registered two FIRs: one against Qureshi and Adnan for cow slaughter and another for Qureshi’s murder, filed by his brother Mohammad Shahjad. Majhola Station House Officer Mohit Chaudhary said, “We took suo motu cognisance and registered a case of cow slaughter.”
Qureshi’s wife, Rizwana, 35, is devastated. “My husband told me he was going out for work and would return soon,” she said. Hours later, she learned he had been hospitalized.
Qureshi’s sister-in-law, Masooma Jamal, questioned the mob’s actions. “Even if he killed an animal, they could have called the police. Why beat him so badly that he died?”
The family, already struggling financially, now faces an uncertain future. Qureshi had stopped working due to health issues, forcing his teenage sons to work. His son, Arhan, 15, said, “I had to leave school when Abbu fell ill. We couldn’t afford the fees.”
Police claim Adnan admitted during questioning that he and Qureshi went to slaughter an ox. SHO Devendra Kumar said locals alerted police after hearing noises. “Our team reached within seven minutes, dispersed the mob, and took Qureshi to the hospital,” he said.
The mob’s brutal response has sparked anger and fear. Qureshi’s nephew, Waris Jamal, said, “Human life has no value now. This was no age to die.”
As investigations continue, the family and community demand justice. “We need answers and action against those responsible,” said Rizwana.
