Pune: Tempo Driver Beaten by Alleged Cow Vigilantes In Wanowrie, Police Probe On
Pune: Tempo Driver Beaten by Alleged Cow Vigilantes In Wanowrie, Police Probe On
Pune, March 31, 2026: Pune police have filed a case against a group of alleged cow vigilantes for assaulting a 54-year-old tempo driver, Papa Fakruddin Shaikh, who was transporting buffaloes with valid documentation. The incident occurred on Sunday in Wanowrie, raising concerns over rising vigilantism and the safety of lawful livestock transporters.
Shaikh was driving a six-wheeler Ashok Leyland truck (MH-14 GU 2593) carrying seven buffaloes from Market Yard to Keshavnagar in Mundhwa on behalf of owner Mohinuddin Qureshi. Around 11:30 am, his vehicle was blocked near a petrol pump on Lullanagar Road by occupants of a pick-up truck, who accused him of transporting cattle for illegal slaughter.
Despite showing valid documents and clarifying that the animals were buffaloes, Shaikh was allegedly assaulted and forced off the road. The group later informed the police, and the truck was taken to the Wanowrie Bazar police chowki.
Police said that at approximately 1 pm, the main accused, identified as Hrushikesh Kamthe, along with four to five associates, reportedly assaulted Shaikh again inside the police station premises. Shaikh sustained injuries to his face, chest, and legs and was issued death threats warning him not to return to the area. He was later taken to Sassoon General Hospital for a medical examination and lodged a formal complaint.
Wanowrie police have registered FIR No. 0120/2026 under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges of voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and rioting.
The incident underscores tensions surrounding livestock transport in the region and the need for law enforcement to protect citizens from extrajudicial actions.
