A special investigation team was constituted by Raipur Rural police in Chhattisgarh to probe the deaths of two cattle transporters, whose families claimed they were victims of a mob attack, news agency PTI reported on Saturday. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday within the Arnag police station limits, resulting in the deaths of Chand Miya and Guddu Khan, and leaving Saddam Khan seriously injured, the report said. All three victims were from Uttar Pradesh.
The police announced the formation of a 14-member special team headed by Raipur additional superintendent of police (rural) Kirtan Rathore to investigate the case and apprehend the suspects, PTI reported citing a statement issued on Friday.
The team includes the deputy superintendent of police (crime branch) Sanjay Singh, city superintendent of police (Mana area) Lambodar Patel, and cyber cell in-charge Paresh Pandey.
According to the PTI report, the Arang police lodged an FIR late on Friday night under Indian Penal Code sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 34 (common intention), against unidentified persons.
The complainant, Shoheb Khan, reported that Chand had called him, saying while they were transporting cattle (buffaloes) from Mahasamund to Arang in a truck, they were chased by persons on motorcycles and other vehicles. The chase ended when a truck tyre burst, leading the pursuers to allegedly abuse and assault them.
Chand, according to PTI, informed that all three sustained injuries and were unable to walk.
Several suspects were being questioned, PTI reported mentioned citing sources familiar with the matter. ASP (Raipur Rural) Kirtan Rathore stated that preliminary investigations revealed the men were en route to Raipur from Mahasamund when they were chased.
"Of the three men, one was found dead and the other two were in serious condition. They were admitted to a hospital where one of them succumbed to his injuries. The truck, which was found on the bridge later, has been seized and the animals have been shifted to a cow shelter," Rathore was quoted as saying by PTI.
He added that there was no evidence "as of now" that it was a case of mob lynching.
However, Shoheb Khan, a cousin of Chand and Saddam, told reporters on Friday that the three men were attacked by a mob. Shoheb claimed he received a call from Chand during the attack but the call was abruptly disconnected, as reported by PTI.
Saddam also called their friend Mohsin, and during the 47-minute call, Saddam could be heard pleading with his attackers to spare him, indicating his limbs were broken.
"I believe Saddam had put his phone in his pocket while he was calling (Mohsin) and it never got disconnected so everything could be heard clearly," Shoheb said, according to PTI.