NEW DELHI – A Muslim man, Mohammed Adil, was brutally assaulted, and his Bolero vehicle was set on fire by a mob while he was transporting oxen in Jamshedpur district of Jharkhand on Saturday night.
According to reports, after the assault, Adil was handed over to the police and admitted to the Seraikela Civil Hospital. The incident took place in Rangamatia village, where villagers allegedly stopped the vehicle, removed the oxen, and set the Bolero ablaze, accusing Adil of cow smuggling.
The Azad Samaj Party (ASP) strongly condemned the incident, questioning the rise of mob justice under the Hemant Soren-led government.
Ejaz Ahmed, president of the Azad Samaj Party in Seraikela town, said that villagers took the law into their own hands after rumors spread about banned meat.
“Will the mob now decide justice? If that’s the case, then lock up the courts and the administration! Last night, in Rangamatia village of Seraikela, an incident took place that has shamed humanity. On the rumor that banned meat was found in a Scorpio vehicle, enraged villagers took the law into their own hands,” Ahmed wrote on his Facebook handle.
He further added:“Without informing the police, the mob passed its own judgment — they set the vehicle on fire and beat Adil, a resident of Bagan Shahi, Jamshedpur, so brutally that he was left half-dead. Today, Adil is fighting between life and death at Sadar Hospital, Seraikela.”
Questioning the growing culture of mob justice, Ahmed demanded strict action from the district administration.
“This question is not just about the attack on Adil, but about the entire system. If justice is to be decided by mobs on the streets, then what is the purpose of the courts and the administration? We demand that the district administration take strict action against those responsible under severe legal provisions, and ensure immediate medical treatment and proper compensation for Adil,” he said.
Kashif Bharti, state president of the Azad Samaj Party, also demanded strong legal action and compensation for Adil to ensure better treatment.
“If mob justice itself decides, then what is the need for the court and administration? Last night in Rangamatia village of Seraikela, a case of banned meat in a #Scorpio came to light. Enraged villagers, without informing the police, pronounced the verdict themselves, burned the Scorpio, and beat Adil so much that he was left half-dead,” Bharti said.
Bharti also met the victim and urged hospital authorities to provide the best possible care.
“Adil is a resident of Baganshahi, Jamshedpur, and is currently fighting for his life in Sadar Hospital, Seraikela. The district administration should take action against the accused under strict sections and provide better treatment and compensation to Adil,” he added.
Through its social media handles, the Azad Samaj Party directly questioned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for allowing cow vigilantes to operate freely in the state.
“Chief Minister Hemant Soren, till when will the cow vigilantes instill fear? If the administration does not take strict action, Azad Samaj Party Jharkhand and Bhim Army will be bound to launch a statewide movement,” the party warned.
