Gujarat police accused of beating Muslim suspects in cow slaughter case

• Reports from Ahmedabad’s Vejalpur area allege police assaulted Muslim men accused of cow slaughter during an arrest operation.
• The incident, captured on video, has sparked concern over custodial conduct and due process, while police have not issued a detailed public response.

Police in Gujarat’s Vejalpur area of Ahmedabad have come under scrutiny after footage surfaced showing the alleged beating of Muslim men accused of cow slaughter, according to reports and statements from legal representatives.

The incident is reported to have taken place after several individuals were detained in connection with suspected illegal cattle slaughter activity. Three people were arrested in the case.

Footage circulating in local media reportedly shows one of the accused being struck with sticks while in police custody. Witness accounts and legal representatives claim the individuals were taken to multiple locations during the investigation, including a site where alleged remains were recovered.

In one video, a voice is heard questioning a detainee during the assault, raising further concerns among rights observers about treatment of suspects during interrogation.

Advocate Nauman Ghanchi, representing the accused, said five individuals were initially detained in connection with the case, including Sajid Qureshi and Raees Shaikh.

He alleged that Shaikh was tied to a police vehicle and beaten in public view, while Qureshi was also assaulted. According to Ghanchi, the accused were later formally arrested and produced before a court.

He further claimed that families were warned against filing complaints and feared retaliation, though these allegations have not been independently verified.

Local police have not issued a detailed public statement addressing the specific allegations of assault.

The case has drawn attention to broader concerns in India regarding custodial violence, due process, and the handling of cow slaughter-related cases, which often carry heightened communal sensitivity.

Legal representatives argue that suspects were subjected to public humiliation and physical abuse before formal arrest procedures were completed, raising questions about procedural safeguards.

The incident is now likely to prompt further legal scrutiny as video evidence and witness testimonies are reviewed by authorities and courts.