Within 24 hours of 'booking' farmer for allegedly taking bulls for slaughter, Latur police backtrack

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Within 24 hours of booking a farmer for allegedly taking bulls for slaughter, the Latur police on Tuesday backtracked amid widespread outrage, released the two animals and said they would file a C-summary to close the case.

Vivekanand police station senior inspector Santosh Patil said, “After a representation was made to us, we cross-verified and today (Tuesday) handed over the two bulls to the farmer. In this case, we have decided to file a C-summary before the court of law and close the case.”

The FIR, registered on Monday, had named Bhimrao Suryawanshi (55) of Arjkheda village under sections 5A(1) and 9 of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. Assistant sub-inspector Pratap Wange, the complainant in the case, on Monday stated in the FIR that Suryawanshi was found walking with two bulls near Chhatrapati Chowk, on the Ausa Road, without arrangements for fodder and water, raising suspicion the animals were meant for slaughter.

The police had seized the two bulls, valued at Rs 50,000 each, and sent them to a shelter. However, the case triggered sharp criticism when it emerged that Suryawanshi and his son, Mahesh, had legally purchased the animals from Dharashiv for farming purposes. They were returning to their village on foot with valid gram panchayat-issued purchase documents.

According to the family, they were first stopped near Khopegaon by some Bajrang Dal activists, who questioned them about the purpose of transporting the animals. Despite showing documents, they were allegedly detained for a long time. Later, they were again stopped near Rajiv Gandhi Chowk in Latur city, following which Mahesh contacted the police helpline.

Farmer groups alleged harassment, claiming Suryawanshi and his son were first stopped by Bajrang Dal activists near Khopegaon and later again in Latur, despite showing valid purchase papers.

Activists, including Rajiv Sabale Patil, also questioned why action was taken against the farmer rather than against those who allegedly intercepted him. Shiv Sena functionary Kuldeep Suryawanshi warned against the harassment of farmers by vigilantes.

Following mounting protests and social media outrage, police reviewed the case and decided to withdraw proceedings.