TCN Staff Reporter
As the nation was gearing up to welcome new year, a brutal murder shook the streets of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. Thirty-seven-year-old Shahdeen was lynched to death in Naveen Mandi area in the dead of night, on December 29-30, over an accusation that he had slaughtered a cow. The police swung into action and quickly apprehended one Adnan on the charges cow slaughter. However, even four days after the incident, no arrests have been made in the case of Shahdeen’s brutal murder.
Cops stopped short of charging the crime as mob lynching, even as videos emerged showing the young man being brutally assaulted by a frenzied mob. A murder case has so far been registered against unknown individuals.
The police have registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nayay Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to murder. However, no case has been registered under Section 103(2) of the BNS for mob lynching.
Why has the lynching charge not been invoked? Why are the police hesitant to act, despite video evidence that points to a chilling mob mentality?
Mob lynching under the BNS is defined as a crime where a group of five or more people kill a person based on religion, gender, race, caste, community, place of birth, language, personal beliefs or any other similar basis.
Those involved in mob lynching can face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
When asked about the police’s failure to make arrests, a senior officer of the district police said the case is being investigated based on evidence. “Murder is a serious crime, and no one will be arrested on mere suspicion. Arrests will be made only when the police have solid evidence,” he said.
Explaining the reason for not invoking a mob lynching charge, he said, “Based on the complaint filed by the deceased’s family, a mob lynching charge does not apply.”
In the case of the cow slaughter, he said, the police have filed a case under Uttar Pradesh’s stringent anti-cow slaughter law against Shahdeen and his alleged accomplices.
Both cases have been registered at the Majhola Police Station in Moradabad.
The curious case of cow slaughter and murder
The Naveen Mandi in Moradabad is a large complex where farmers from surrounding districts come to sell fruits and vegetables, and local vendors purchase them. The complex is surrounded by high walls and has only two entry and exit points – one of which has a police post. Mandi guards are also stationed there.
The incident took place at around 2:30-3:00 am on December 29-30. Behind the mandi complex is a large vacant space that has garbage heaps – a heaven of stray animals.
“Shahdeen and his associate Adnan arrived on a scooter and killed a calf, intending to sell the meat,” said another police official close to the investigation. He claimed the police found the dead animal, a rope, a sickle and a scooter at the scene.
When the news of cow slaughter spread, a crowd gathered and caught Shahdeen. The police arrived at the scene and rescued him from the crowd. He was rushed to the hospital, the officer said.
The area where the incident took place is predominantly Hindu. The surrounding locality has a large Hindu population, with very few Muslims living there.
Purported videos, which surfaced on Internet after the incident show Shahdeen lying on the ground in a pool of blood, with a crowd surrounding him. In these videos, the crowd can be seen attacking him and making comments about his religion.
Some of the names of people in the crowd can also be heard in the alleged videos, which are now being proved by the police.
Contrary to police claim that the deceased was immediately rushed to the hospital, locals alleged he was first taken to the police station and then to the hospital.
Shahdeen ultimately succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on December 30.
Who was Shahdeen?
A resident of Galshaheed area, he is survived by his wife Rizwana and three sons, the eldest being 15 years old.
His two underage sons work in clothing shops earning less than a hundred rupees a day, while the youngest, a 9-year-old, goes to school.
Shahdeen was a bodybuilder, but his health deteriorated about two and a half years ago. His financial situation worsened due to medical expenses. For the past several months, he had been working as a daily wage labourer.
Shahdeen’s neighbors say he had worked in a meat shop for a while. “Since his health deteriorated, he has been going through tough times. Whatever work he could find, he would do it,” said the victim’s brother, who had been financially helping the family.
On the night of the incident, Shahdeen told his family he was going to work and would return by morning.
The police said Shahdeen had no criminal record.