Maharashtra police investigate assault of Dalit man by cow vigilantes

Police in Maharashtra's Jalna district have registered a case against six individuals following an assault on a Dalit man, Parameshwar Suhas Hiwale. The incident, which occurred on May 23, came to light after a video of the attack circulated on social media, prompting Hiwale to file a complaint on August 21.

According to the complaint, Hiwale was traveling with his 11-year-old son and an acquaintance after purchasing a bull from a cattle market. A group claiming affiliation with the Bajrang Dal and cow-protection groups intercepted their vehicle, accusing Hiwale of intending to sell the bull to a Muslim butcher. Despite Hiwale presenting purchase documentation, the group allegedly used caste-based slurs, assaulted him, and forcibly stuffed cow dung into his mouth. The attackers also reportedly attempted to force dung into his son's mouth.

Authorities have filed charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, and voluntarily causing hurt, as well as under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. An investigation is currently underway, though no arrests have been made.