Even as police teams investigate the case, the Congress has claimed the prime accused has close ties with the BJP.
Idrees Pasha. (Supplied)
Tension gripped parts of Karnataka’s Ramanagara district after a man, a cattle trader, was allegedly lynched by cow vigilantes, who are also said to be pro-Hindu activists, at Sathanoor in the early hours on 31 March.
Two days on, no arrest has been made in the case, with the police saying that their teams are working to nab the accused in what appears to be a case of communal violence.
The victim was identified as Idreesh Pasha, a cattle trader. He and two others — Irfan and driver Syed Zaheer — were also assaulted by the cow vigilantes.
The attack was allegedly carried out by Puneeth Kerehalli and his four associates.
An FIR has been registered against Puneeth and his four associates in this case.
Besides Section 302 (murder), the police also booked them under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace).
Meanwhile, following a counter-complaint, the cops also booked Zaheer and two others under sections of the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and Motor Vehicles Act.
The incident came to light after driver Syed Zaheer registered a complaint at the Sathnoor Police Station alleging that Puneeth and his associates assaulted him and two others: Pasha and Irfan.
In the complaint, Zaheer stated: “On 31 March, 16 heads of cattle were being transported to Tamil Nadu from Mandya in a container. I, Pasha, and Irfan were travelling in a canter via Mandya, Mallavali, and Halagur, and reached Sathanoor at 11.40 pm.”
He said a car intercepted them at Santhemale Circle and told them to get down.
“We got down from the container. They used offensive words against us. Pasha and Irfan fled from the scene,” said Zaheer.
Cow vigilantes “took me and my canter to the police station”, he added.
“Among the five one is identified as Puneeth Kerehalli,” said Zaheer, adding that he could not ascertain the identities of the rest.
“Puneeth and his four associates made offensive remarks about us. I appeal to take legal action against Puneeth and his associates,” urged Zaheer, who was severely injured in the incident.
He told South First: “I was thrashed by Puneeth and his associates. I displayed the relevant documents to Puneeth but they continued to abuse us and asked us to go to Pakistan. I cannot comment anything more on the incident. The police have to serve us justice in this case.”
Pasha’s friend Wasim told reporters that they followed him from Mandya.
“Puneeth Kerehalli and his associates assaulted him with bats and tortured him, which led to his death. Puneeth is the main reason for his death. There was no necessity to beat him. He should’ve handed him to the police,” he pointed out.
Even two days after the incident, the police are yet to arrest the accused named in the complaint.
Stating that they have intensified the probe, Ramnagara Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy told South First: “It is too early to comment on the incident. We are awaiting the autopsy report. The special investigation teams have been formed to nab the accused.”
The cops claimed that they had not recovered any weapons connected to the alleged murder.
Channapatna Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Kumar told South First, “We have formed four teams to nab the accused. No arrests have been made in this case. All five are on the run. We are also recovering CCTV footage of the incident.”
He added: “It is too early to comment on the incident as we are waiting for an autopsy report. An investigation has been launched based on the complaint of Syed Zaheer, ”
He also said: “We have pacified the situation across Ramanagara. The law and order situation is under control. We are interrogating the people connected to the incident and have not taken anyone into custody.”
Condemning the incident, thousands of Muslims staged a protest demanding justice for the victim’s family.
Blaming the Basavaraj Bommai-led Karnataka government, KPCC communications chairman Priyank Kharge told reporters: “This happened because the anti-cow slaughter bill was passed by the government of Karnataka.
He said the aim of the bill was “nothing but to cause trouble for innocent people”.
“The state government brought this bill to appease its vote bank, and you see what its are consequences today,” said Kharge.
“All these cow vigilantes the government is nurturing are all BJP people. They are all on its payroll,” he alleged.
“You see what has happened now. He [prme accused Puneeth] has a close association with the BJP in Karnataka,” charged Kharge.
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