Ramanagara, Karnataka: In a horrifying incident, a Muslim cattle trader, identified as Idrees Pasha, was brutally murdered by alleged cow vigilantes in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka on Saturday.

The prime suspect in the case is Puneet Kerehalli, a right-wing activist who has been booked by the police, along with others.

Tensions escalated in Sathanur after Pasha’s family found him dead under mysterious circumstances.

They protested with his body, demanding action against cow vigilantes led by Kerehalli.

The family claimed that Puneet Kerehalli demanded Rs 2 lakh for Pasha’s release, threatening to kill him otherwise.

According to the FIR, Kerehalli’s group intercepted Pasha’s vehicle, which was transporting cattle.

Pasha claimed he had bought the cattle from a local market and possessed the necessary documentation.

However, Puneet Kerehalli allegedly abused Pasha, told him to go to Pakistan, and chased and assaulted him, resulting in fatal injuries.

As Pasha’s family and locals gathered to protest, police arrived, calming the crowd and taking the body for post-mortem.

Based on the complaint, authorities registered a murder case under IPC Sections 302, 341, and 504.

On Friday night, Syed Zaheer, Idrees Pasha, and Irfan were transporting cattle from Ramanagara district to sell in Tamil Nadu and Kerala when cow vigilantes led by Kerehalli allegedly attacked them.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Zaheer, aged 40, mentioned that they usually transport cattle to these regions during weekly fairs.

The cattle traders were intercepted near the Sathanur police station around 11:40 pm on Friday.

The assailants demanded they go to Pakistan and attack them.

Pasha and Irfan fled, but Zaheer stayed behind, only to be rescued by a police constable who took him to the station.

On Saturday morning, the police informed Zaheer of Pasha’s death after showing him a photo.

However, Pasha’s family members continued protesting, urging authorities to arrest the culprits and enforce strict action against them.

Zaheer explained that while the cattle belonged to another person, he and Pasha drove the vehicle, and Irfan helped with loading and unloading. The vehicle’s owner held the necessary documents.

In response to why Pasha and Irfan ran when attacked, Zaheer said that cow vigilantes typically assault victims before taking them to the police, which is why they attempted to escape.

However, based on Puneet Kerehalli’s complaint, the Sathanur police booked Zaheer and others under sections of the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Transportation of Animals Act, and Motor Vehicles Act.

Police officials confirmed that a murder case had been registered against Puneet Kerehalli and his associates, and investigations are ongoing.

However, the suspects have not yet been apprehended.

On Sunday morning, Ramanagara Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy held a meeting but did not respond to calls or messages.

Puneet Kerehalli, the main suspect, is a right-wing activist who leads Rashtra Rakshana Pade.

In the past, Kerehalli has campaigned against halal in Karnataka and advocated banning Muslim traders from Hindu temple fairs.

Indian Penal Code

Indian Penal Code (IPC) is a comprehensive code that covers various crimes and prescribes punishments for offenses.

Here is a brief overview of IPC Sections 302, 341, and 504:

IPC Section 302 – Punishment for murder: This section deals with the offense of murder. It states that whoever commits murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and liable to pay a fine. The punishment for murder is severe because it involves deliberately taking another person’s life. Factors like motive, intention, and the manner of the crime are considered while determining the appropriate punishment for the offender.
IPC Section 341 – Punishment for wrongful restraint: This section deals with the offense of wrongful restraint, which occurs when a person intentionally obstructs another individual from proceeding in a direction in which they have the right to proceed. The punishment for wrongful restraint is imprisonment for a term extending to one month, a fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both. This section seeks to protect the individual’s right to freedom of movement and penalizes those who unlawfully restrict it.
IPC Section 504 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace: This section deals with the offense of intentionally insulting someone to provoke a breach of peace. It states that whoever intentionally insults another person, intending to cause them to break the public peace or commit any other offense, shall be imprisoned for a term that may extend to two years, a fine, or both. In addition, this section aims to maintain public order and discourage individuals from using insulting language or behavior to incite violence or other offenses.

Political leaders across party lines have also expressed concern over the incident and promised to work towards creating a safer environment for all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.

The police, actively investigating the case, have assured the public that they will leave no stone unturned in apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice.

The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to gather evidence to build a strong case against the accused.

The tragic death of Idrees Pasha has left his family and community in mourning.

However, it has also sparked a renewed call for unity and a firm commitment to upholding the values of diversity and inclusiveness that define India’s society.

Hopefully, this incident will catalyze positive change and a reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat hate and violence in all its forms.

Support For Idris Pasha’s Family From Ramnagaram

We ask you to join us in supporting this grieving family during their time of need. We may not be able to bring Idris back, but we can help ease the burden of the financial strain that his loss has brought upon his family. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in this grieving family’s lives and help the kids with their education. So please, let us unite as a community and show our love and support for the Pasha family.