Belagavi, Karnataka :In a rare move, Karnataka police have filed an FIR against members of the right-wing outfit Sri Rama Sene for allegedly waylaying a cattle transporter and attempting extortion in Belagavi district. Simultaneously, a separate case has also been registered against villagers who later assaulted the vigilantes in response to their actions, reported the Newsminute.
The incident began on June 26 when activists from Sri Rama Sene intercepted a vehicle transporting cattle, claiming it was intended for slaughter. The vehicle was taken to Hukkeri police station. However, after the cattle owner, Babusab Ramjansab Multani, presented valid documentation proving the animals were for dairy purposes, the livestock was returned to him on June 28.
Later that day, when Shivaputra Basavanni Sanadi was transporting the cattle from a Goshala, he was again confronted by Sri Rama Sene members. Fearing trouble, he drove towards Babusab’s residence in Ingali village. There, the activists allegedly entered the house—where only women were present—and reportedly misbehaved under the pretext of cow protection. This sparked anger among villagers who tied the five men to a tree and beat them with sticks, as seen in a viral video.
Based on Shivaputra’s complaint, police registered an FIR against five Sri Rama Sene members, including Mahaveer Sollapure, a known rowdy-sheeter. They have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (provocation to breach peace), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), and 190 (unlawful assembly).
Following the emergence of the assault video online, the police took suo motu action and registered another FIR against Shivaputra, Babusab, and others for assaulting the vigilantes. Four arrests have been made. This FIR includes BNS sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 115(2), 118(1) (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), and 3(5) (crime with common intention).
Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar S Guled clarified that Sri Rama Sene members refused to file an official complaint. He stated, “We encouraged them to come forward, but they did not. We verified through CCTV that no complaint was submitted.” He further pointed out that one of the accused, Mahaveer Sollapure, had already been externed from Belagavi.
Responding to claims that the assailants were Muslims, the SP clarified, “One of the accused is Hindu. This is not a communal issue.” He added, “The vigilantes cannot justify trespassing into a private residence and misbehaving with women. No group has the right to take the law into their hands.”
This case sheds light on increasing concerns around cow vigilantism and raises questions about the legality and moral legitimacy of self-styled groups taking enforcement into their own hands.
