Nearly two weeks after a Class 12 student, Aryan Mishra, was killed in what appears to be a tragic case of mistaken identity, new revelations have emerged regarding the involvement of the accused in cow vigilantism. The Faridabad Police, however, continues to assert that there is no concrete evidence linking the attackers to any cow vigilante groups.
On August 23, Aryan Mishra, a resident of Faridabad, was traveling in a Renault Duster with his friends, including two girls, when they were pursued by five men—Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, Adesh, and Saurabh—who mistook them for cattle smugglers. The men, believing they were chasing criminals, attempted to force the car to stop. Fearing for their safety, Aryan and his friends chose to flee.
The chase culminated in a deadly confrontation, with the men opening fire on the Duster. Aryan was struck by two bullets and died from his injuries. Realizing their mistake upon seeing the girls in the car, the attackers fled the scene. Anil Kaushik and his four accomplices were later apprehended by the Faridabad Police.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Faridabad Police, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aman Yadav, maintains that there is no evidence to confirm that Kaushik and the other accused are cow vigilantes or affiliated with any organizations involved in such activities. However, an investigation by NDTV has cast doubt on this official stance.
NDTV reporters visited Anil Kaushik’s home and spoke to his mother, who provided insights into her son’s activities. She openly admitted that her son is a “cow protector” and was indeed involved in the car chase that led to Aryan’s death. “Yes, my son was chasing that car that night. He told me he thought there was a cow smuggler in the car. He also said that the first bullet was fired from the Duster. But he did not fire any bullets, I don’t know whose bullet hit him (Aryan Mishra). My son is innocent. He protects cows and serves society,” she stated.
Further investigation by NDTV at Kaushik’s office revealed that he is well-known in the area as a cow vigilante. The reporters also uncovered YouTube videos posted by his organization, ‘Live for Nation,’ showing members engaging in cow protection activities, including chasing suspected cattle smugglers in cars.
The Faridabad Police’s insistence that no evidence has been found to support the claim that the accused were cow vigilantes has been met with skepticism, especially in light of the statements made by Kaushik’s mother and the evidence uncovered by NDTV. The discrepancy between the police’s official position and the information provided by the accused’s family and associates raises questions about the investigation’s thoroughness.
The killing of Aryan Mishra has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for justice growing louder each day. The involvement of individuals allegedly acting as self-proclaimed protectors of cows in such a heinous crime has added a layer of complexity to the case, drawing attention to the issue of cow vigilantism and its consequences.
As the investigation continues, the pressure is mounting on the authorities to provide a transparent and comprehensive account of the events leading to Aryan’s death. The public and Aryan’s grieving family are demanding accountability and justice for the young student’s untimely death.
Sources By Agencies
