Cow smugglers attack Gau Rakshaks for stopping illegal cattle transport
Faridabad, Haryana, India 
18 February, 2025
Case Summary
In Haryana's Faridabad district, a group of cow smugglers were illegally smuggling cows and transporting them from Mathura to Mewat in a canter. Gau Raksha Dal tried to stop the smugglers, but they shot bullets at them. According to Gau Raksha Dal member Puneet Vashishth, he had received information that cattle were transported in a canter from Mathura to Mewat. His team started surveillance on the KMP Yamuna Highway. They tried to stop a suspicious canter. The driver did not stop the vehicle and increased the speed. When the Gau Rakshaks chased the canter, the smugglers opened fire on them. After running for several kilometres, the canter reached IMT Chowk. The smugglers abandoned the vehicle and fled. The police were informed about the incident. The Gau Raksha Dal found several cows and four dead cows inside the canter. According to the information, Gau Raksha Dal member Puneet Vashishth had received information that cattle were being transported in a canter from Mathura to Mewat. The team started surveillance on the KMP Yamuna Highway. An attempt was made to stop a suspicious canter. The driver did not stop the vehicle and increased the speed. When the Gau Rakshaks chased the canter, the smugglers opened fire on them.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the category of- Attack not resulting in death and under this, the sub-category selected is- Attacked for opposing radicals or trying to save victim. In several cases, Hindus are attacked for opposing religiously motivated crimes being committed against a fellow Hindu or simply for voicing an opinion opposing radical elements, who either have in the past or continue to persecute Hindus. In such cases, the initial attack against the victim, against which the Hindu was trying to defend the victim, would also need to be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Since the initial crime itself was religiously motivated and the subsequent crime of attempting to save the victim or speaking against the radical elements ends up inviting a violent attack, it would also be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. The Gau Rakshaks were directly attacked while trying to stop an illegal activity—cow smuggling—which is often linked to organised criminal networks. The smugglers intentionally opened fire on them, showing clear hostility towards those enforcing cow protection laws. Since the attackers used violence against individuals specifically opposing them in an illegal act (smuggling cows), this case has been added to the hate crime database.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
