The Crossbill News Desk
In a chilling incident of mob violence, four Muslim men were attacked and brutally assaulted by a Hindutva mob near Sadhu Ashram in Aligarh’s Atrauli area on the morning of May 24.
The victims — identified as Arbaz, Aqeel, Kadim, and Munna Khan — were transporting buffalo meat from a licensed meat export company when they were allegedly intercepted, stripped, and attacked with rods, sticks, bricks, and sharp weapons.
The victims, all residents of Atrauli, sustained grievous injuries. Three of them are said to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital.
“I cannot describe the injuries. You can watch the videos,” said Salim Khan, father of Aqeel, one of the victims told The Wire.
“My son is fighting for his life in the hospital.”
Viral videos of the incident circulating online show the men being beaten mercilessly, their vehicle overturned and set on fire, and meat thrown on the road.
Eyewitnesses and family members allege that the mob demanded money from the victims and attacked them when they refused to pay. The attackers also allegedly looted their mobile phones and cash.
According to the first information report (FIR) filed by Salim Khan, the incident took place at around 8:30 AM as the men were returning from Al-Ammar Frozen Foods — a meat export unit registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The accused reportedly included local leaders from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including VHP leader Rajkumar Arya and BJP’s Arjun Singh. Thirteen individuals have been named in the FIR.
The police said the meat has been sent for forensic testing. Superintendent of Police Amrit Jain confirmed that the victims were rescued and hospitalized, adding that investigations are underway.
“Four individuals who had been beaten by the public were rescued for their safety and admitted to the hospital for medical treatment,” Jain told the media.
“An investigation is being conducted into all the allegations. A veterinary doctor was called to collect samples of the animal meat. Based on the complaint received, a case is being registered at Harduaganj Police Station. Legal action, including arrests, will be taken based on the facts that emerge during the course of the investigation,” he added.
A counter-FIR has also been filed by one Vijay Bajrangi under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.
The complainant alleged that he tried to stop the vehicle based on a tip-off about beef smuggling and was injured when the driver allegedly tried to mow him down. The FIR also accuses the victims of offering a bribe of Rs 3 lakh to the police and claims that the same vehicle was previously caught 15 days earlier but released due to police complicity.
Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair shared images of documents related to the Al-Ammar factory, including gate passes and official licences, showing that the meat in question was buffalo meat — legal to transport and export.
One such gate pass, signed by Kadim, matches the timing and vehicle number mentioned in the FIR.
Salim Khan also confirmed that just 15 days earlier, the same group had allegedly stopped a similar vehicle and demanded Rs 50,000. The police had intervened then, he said, and a similar tragedy was averted.
“We don’t know the Bajrang Dal… We know our work has been destroyed after this government came to power. We were told by SSP sahib to bring the meat from factories and we did it. We had a licence and it was buffalo meat,” he said.
Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest exporters of buffalo meat in India, accounting for 30% of national exports. Yet, those engaged in the legal trade continue to face harassment, violence, and extortion by vigilante groups operating with impunity.
The victims — identified as Arbaz, Aqeel, Kadim, and Munna Khan — were transporting buffalo meat from a licensed meat export company when they were allegedly intercepted, stripped, and attacked with rods, sticks, bricks, and sharp weapons.
The victims, all residents of Atrauli, sustained grievous injuries. Three of them are said to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital.
“I cannot describe the injuries. You can watch the videos,” said Salim Khan, father of Aqeel, one of the victims told The Wire.
“My son is fighting for his life in the hospital.”
Viral videos of the incident circulating online show the men being beaten mercilessly, their vehicle overturned and set on fire, and meat thrown on the road.
Eyewitnesses and family members allege that the mob demanded money from the victims and attacked them when they refused to pay. The attackers also allegedly looted their mobile phones and cash.
According to the first information report (FIR) filed by Salim Khan, the incident took place at around 8:30 AM as the men were returning from Al-Ammar Frozen Foods — a meat export unit registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The accused reportedly included local leaders from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including VHP leader Rajkumar Arya and BJP’s Arjun Singh. Thirteen individuals have been named in the FIR.
The police said the meat has been sent for forensic testing. Superintendent of Police Amrit Jain confirmed that the victims were rescued and hospitalized, adding that investigations are underway.
“Four individuals who had been beaten by the public were rescued for their safety and admitted to the hospital for medical treatment,” Jain told the media.
“An investigation is being conducted into all the allegations. A veterinary doctor was called to collect samples of the animal meat. Based on the complaint received, a case is being registered at Harduaganj Police Station. Legal action, including arrests, will be taken based on the facts that emerge during the course of the investigation,” he added.
A counter-FIR has also been filed by one Vijay Bajrangi under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.
The complainant alleged that he tried to stop the vehicle based on a tip-off about beef smuggling and was injured when the driver allegedly tried to mow him down. The FIR also accuses the victims of offering a bribe of Rs 3 lakh to the police and claims that the same vehicle was previously caught 15 days earlier but released due to police complicity.
Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair shared images of documents related to the Al-Ammar factory, including gate passes and official licences, showing that the meat in question was buffalo meat — legal to transport and export.
One such gate pass, signed by Kadim, matches the timing and vehicle number mentioned in the FIR.
As mentioned in the FIR filed against 'Cow Protectors', The Vehicle number matches with number mentioned in receipt. Also, see the description of the item. 'Buffalo bone in meat'.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 25, 2025
Al-Ammar Frozen foods exports Pvt. Ltd is a registered buffalo beef export company and meat… pic.twitter.com/HT3j0Jy6zF
Salim Khan also confirmed that just 15 days earlier, the same group had allegedly stopped a similar vehicle and demanded Rs 50,000. The police had intervened then, he said, and a similar tragedy was averted.
“We don’t know the Bajrang Dal… We know our work has been destroyed after this government came to power. We were told by SSP sahib to bring the meat from factories and we did it. We had a licence and it was buffalo meat,” he said.
Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest exporters of buffalo meat in India, accounting for 30% of national exports. Yet, those engaged in the legal trade continue to face harassment, violence, and extortion by vigilante groups operating with impunity.
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