Jawra, Madhya Pradesh, June 17: On June 14, four Muslim men, Sharik, Salman, Naushad, and Shahrukh, were arrested for allegedly throwing a cow head into a local temple. This act, perceived as an insult to religious sentiments, led to their immediate arrest and the subsequent demolition of their homes, sparking outrage and allegations of injustice.
Sharik and Salman were taken into custody in the morning, and their homes were demolished the same day. Naushad and Shahrukh faced similar fates on June 16, with their homes being razed shortly after their arrests. The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) dispatched a fact-finding team to Jawra to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the demolitions.
The APCR team’s investigation revealed discrepancies in the police’s account.
According to Zaid Pathan from APCR, while police claim to possess video evidence of the men throwing the cow head into the temple, it was discovered that the temple’s security cameras were switched off during the incident. The only footage available showed the men walking on a nearby road, captured by a roadside camera. Despite this, all four men were incarcerated at Bherugarh jail.
In a troubling twist, it was reported that the families of the accused, particularly the women, were subjected to mistreatment and violence, resulting in injuries.
The APCR intervened to halt the demolitions of Naushad and Shahrukh’s homes, filing a petition with the Special Court. Despite working overnight to secure a stay order, the demolitions proceeded before the court’s decision could be enacted. Notices for the demolitions were issued on June 16 at 12:30 PM, dated retroactively to June 14, with the demolitions taking place between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. The stay order was granted at 2:30 PM, but by then, the destruction was complete.
Shahrukh’s brother had pleaded with the police to delay the demolition until the stay order was received, but his request was ignored.
In the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, the case (WP No. 16547 of 2024) saw Sri Syed Ashhar Ali Warsi representing the petitioners and Shri Tarun Kishuh appearing for the state. Despite efforts, the demolition notices were not halted in time, leading to the court directing both parties to maintain the status quo concerning the demolitions until further hearings.
The incident has sparked significant controversy, highlighting concerns about due process, the treatment of marginalized communities, and the appropriate response to allegations of religious desecration.
