E-Paper
Doctor dragged from SUV, assaulted by mob after cow hit in Badaun; 4 held
The incident took place around 2:30 pm near Bichpuri village under Alapur police station limits. Dr Rahul Siddharth, a Bareilly resident, was posted at the Community Health Centre in Usawan and was travelling towards Badaun market when his SUV hit a cow standing on the road in the Myaun area.
A 36-year-old government doctor was allegedly pulled out of his SUV and beaten by a group of people in an apparent case of cow vigilantism after his vehicle hit a stray cow on a Badaun road on Tuesday, with videos purportedly showing the crowd surrounding the vehicle, damaging it and assaulting the doctor. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, police said on Wednesday.
The incident took place around 2:30 pm near Bichpuri village under Alapur police station limits. Dr Rahul Siddharth, a Bareilly resident, was posted at the Community Health Centre in Usawan and was travelling towards Badaun market when his SUV hit a cow standing on the road in the Myaun area.
The animal fell near the SUV after being struck. Police said villagers who witnessed the accident rushed towards the vehicle. Siddharth could not immediately leave as the injured cow was lying close to the SUV.
The situation soon turned violent, with the crowd allegedly dragging the doctor out of the vehicle and assaulting him. Witnesses said Siddharth repeatedly folded his hands and pleaded with the crowd to spare him, but the assault continued. His clothes were allegedly torn during the attack.
The SUV was also allegedly vandalised, with its windows smashed using bricks and sticks. A purported video of the incident shows several people surrounding the vehicle, while another appears to show some people trying to overturn it.
Police said personnel reached the spot after being alerted and rescued Siddharth from the crowd. The damaged SUV was taken to the police station.
The injured cow was treated by a veterinary doctor and later shifted to a cowshed. It died during treatment and was subsequently buried, police said.
Badaun superintendent of police (SP) Ankita Sharma said four people had been arrested in connection with the assault.
Alapur station house officer (SHO) Madhav Singh Bhist said the accused, aged between 25 and 30, are residents of Bichpuri village and work odd jobs. They were identified as Shekhar, son of Raj Kumar; Dharmendra alias Netrapal, son of Sovaran; Dharmendra, son of Ram Niwas; and Dharmpal, son of Dal Chand.
Based on Siddharth’s complaint, police registered an FIR against seven named people and several unidentified persons. The charges include attempt to murder, rioting, mischief and intentional insult with the alleged intention of provoking a breach of peace.
Police also initiated preventive action against the four arrested accused under Sections 170, 126 and 135 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The SHO said Siddharth underwent a medical examination after the assault and no serious injuries were found. Police also conducted an examination after some people alleged that he was driving under the influence of alcohol. The examination did not establish that he had consumed alcohol.
Siddharth had reportedly been on medical leave since May and returned to duty on Tuesday. As part of the departmental joining process, he appeared before the chief medical officer (CMO) before proceeding towards Farrukhabad.
