Moradabad: A family in Khanpur village has accused the Uttar Pradesh police of storming their home, forcibly arresting 33-year-old Allah Meher Qureshi, and threatening him with a “half encounter” on allegations of cow slaughter.
According to his relatives, Qureshi, who works in the dairy and buffalo milk trade, was asleep when police entered the house on September 19. They claim officers seized the CCTV DVR, dragged him out, and abused female family members. His sister Ajmaeen alleged that police tore their clothes and warned that Qureshi would be injured in custody. His mother, Saira, said she pleaded for her son’s release but was ignored.
Witnesses reported that police beat family members, misbehaved with women, and threw stones to disperse protesting neighbors. Several relatives and villagers, including Qureshi’s wife, were later detained. A complaint has been filed at the Mundha Panday police station, but no FIR has been registered so far.
The family believes he is being framed, citing repeated police visits in recent months. Rights activists warn that the threat of “half encounters,” where suspects are shot in the leg or injured during custody, reflects a pattern of custodial intimidation in the state.
Responding to the allegations, police said Qureshi was absconding in a cow slaughter case and that the CCTV DVR was seized as evidence. Officials denied wrongdoing.
Legal experts stress that the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act requires warrants, transparency, and protection of the accused’s rights. Any deviation amounts to illegal detention and abuse of power.
