Life Jail Term Over India ‘Beef’ Murder

Acourt in the northern Indian state of Jharkhand has sentenced 11 men to life in prison for lynching a Muslim meat trader last year. Alimuddin Ansari, 55, was beaten to death by the men for transporting beef. This is the first time India has convicted anyone for “cow vigilantism”, despite a spate of attacks on Muslim meat traders in the last few years. Hindus consider cows sacred and killing them is illegal in several states, including Jharkhand.

Incidents of cow vigilantism have become increasingly common in India, but police investigations have often led to acquittals of those accused.

Twelve men were arrested over Mr Ansari’s murder but the court deferred its decision on the 12th accused, who is reported to be a juvenile.

“We had prayed the court for maximum punishment,” prosecutor Sushil Kumar Shukla told the

newspaper. He said that the court did not include the 12th accused in its decision as he was between 16 and 18 years of age.

Mr Ansari’s son, Shabhan Ansari, said his family was “satisfied” with the verdict, but said they were disappointed that they had not received any compensation from the state government.

Speaking to journalists outside the court, Mr Ansari’s wife Mariam Khatun said her husband’s death was a tragic loss, but “did not want more bloodshed”. She added that she wanted “to live in peace with her family and society”.

Ever since the rise to power of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the summer of 2014, vigilante cow protection groups have been emboldened, leading to numerous attacks on Muslims and Dalits (formerly untouchables), for whom beef is a staple.