Man killed by gau rakshaks was a dairy farmer, not cattle smuggler

Pehlu Khan, the man who died after gau rakshaks beat him and four others for allegedly smuggling cows, was a dairy farmer.

According to an Indian Express report, 55-year-old Khan had set out on a 240-kilometre road trip from his home in Jaisinghpur village, in Nuh tehsil of Mewat, to Jaipur last Friday. He was planning to buy a milch buffalo, to increase milk production during Ramzan but, later changed his mind and decided to buy a milch cow instead.

Irshad Khan, son of Pehlu, was quoted as saying to the daily that his father’s one decision cost him his life.

READ: Rajasthan minister defends gau rakshaks

While recounting how gau rakshaks stopped their vehicle and attack them with sticks and belts, Aarif, Pehlu’s other son, said that the police came about 20-30 minutes later and till then all were lying unconscious.

After the assault, the gau rakshaks reportedly accused them of illegally smuggling cows for slaughter. The Rajasthan police too registered an FIR against them for illegally transporting cattle for slaughter.

However, Irshad claimed they had receipts to show that they had purchased the cows. Showing the receipt, which has the stamp of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (serial number 89942 dated April 1, 2017), he said: “I don’t know how an FIR was registered stating that that we had no purchase receipt. I bought the cows for Rs 45,000.”

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan police has arrested three persons in connection with the case. “Three accused have been arrested and the hunt for others is on,” Station House Officer Behror police station Ramesh Chand said.

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