Injured by cow, man files FIR against its owner

Locals told me that the fruit stalls along the roadside draw the cows. Cow owners intentionally leave their cows there until evening when they have to milk them

SHAKEEL, the victim

NEW DELHI : Left nursing a fractured thigh after being rammed by a cow on a busy road in north Delhi, a 45-year-old man has registered a police case at the Sadar Bazar station.

“I have got the case registered because the animal injured me. It is now up to the police to trace the cow and identify and prosecute its owner,” said Mohammad Shakeel, owner of a head massager manufacturing unit in Delhi Gate.

Police said they registered a first information report (FIR) under Indian Penal Code sections 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) and 337 (causing hurt).

“The case is against the cow owner who caused such a serious accident by letting the animal stray on the road. We are investigating the incident,” said Jatin Narwal, deputy commissioner of police (north).

Shakeel was on Qutab Road near Mata Shera Wali Market in Sadar Bazar on Friday evening when the incident happened. Shakeel had just hopped on to his scooter to ride away when three cows ran towards him.

“One of the cows hit me so hard that I was flung away from my scooter and landed on a footpath nearby. My left thigh hit the footpath edge and suffered a fracture. I briefly lost consciousness,” said Shakeel.

When he regained consciousness, he found people had gathered and an ambulance was called. He was rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

“Locals told me that the fruit stalls along the roadside draw the cows. Cow owners intentionally leave their cows there until evening when they have to milk them,” alleged Shakeel.

“I have heard that accidents caused by cows are common at that spot. So, I decided to seek action against the people who endanger others’ lives for their selfishness. The police were quick to register a case, but I hope they catch the culprit,” said Shakeel.