Maharashtra Six Cow Vigilantes Booked for Assaulting Dalit Man

Police in Maharashtra's Jalna district have booked six individuals alleged to be cow vigilantes for assaulting a Dalit man, Parameshwar Suhas Hiwale, and forcing him to consume cow dung. The incident occurred on May 23, but the victim filed a complaint in August after a video surfaced on social media. Hiwale claimed the accused, posing as cow protection group members, stopped him and falsely accused him of selling a bull to a Muslim butcher. They allegedly abused him with caste-based slurs, assaulted him, and tried to force cow dung into his and his son's mouths. His companion was also assaulted, and their vehicle was damaged. One accused recorded the incident and threatened the victim. A case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. No arrests were made by August 28.