In a heart-wrenching incident that has sparked outrage in Haryana’s Faridabad, a 19-year-old student, Aryan Mishra, was allegedly shot dead by a group of cow vigilantes who mistakenly identified him as a cattle smuggler. The tragic event occurred on the night of August 23, near Palwal, and has since led to the arrest of five men, who are currently in judicial custody.
Victim’s Identity and Incident Overview
Aryan Mishra, a Class 12 student enrolled in an open school in Faridabad, became an unintended victim of an aggressive chase by cow vigilantes. The incident unfolded when Aryan left his home late at night to join five friends in an SUV for a casual drive. According to the police, the vehicle in which Aryan and his friends were traveling became the target of a misguided vigilante operation led by Anil Kaushik, the head of an organization known as “Live for Nation,” which promotes cow protection.
The Night of the Incident: Misidentification and Fatal Chase
On the fateful night of August 23, Anil Kaushik, along with his associates Varun, Saurabh, Krishan, and Adesh, reportedly received information about suspected cattle smugglers in the area. The tip-off mentioned a Renault Duster, which closely resembled the SUV Aryan and his friends were in. Acting on this information, the group decided to intercept the vehicle, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in tragedy.
During the pursuit, shots were fired at the vehicle. Two of those bullets struck Aryan Mishra, fatally wounding him. Initially, Aryan’s family was unaware of the involvement of cow vigilantes, suspecting instead that the attack was related to some enmity involving one of Aryan’s friends.
Legal Proceedings: FIR and Arrests
Following the incident, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of murder, rioting, and violations under the Arms Act. The police investigation quickly turned up crucial evidence, including CCTV footage, which confirmed the involvement of the cow vigilante group. As a result, the five accused men were arrested and placed in judicial custody.
Father’s Heartfelt Account: The Last Moments of Aryan Mishra
In a statement to the police, Aryan’s father, Siya Nand Mishra, recounted the harrowing moments that led to the discovery of his son’s death. He explained that Aryan had left home without the family’s knowledge to join his friends Harshit Gulati, Sujata Gulati, Shanky, Sagar Gulati, and Kirti Sharma in Harshit’s Renault Duster. At approximately 3:30 am, Harshit’s father arrived at their home, urgently requesting the family to go to Palwal. Although the reason was unclear at the time, Aryan’s brother Ajay quickly accompanied Harshit’s father on a Scooty towards Palwal.
Shortly after, Ajay returned home with grave news, urging his father to head to B K Hospital immediately. Upon arrival, they were instructed to proceed to SSB Hospital, where Aryan was being treated. It was there that Aryan’s father learned the devastating truth—his son had been shot, and two bullets had struck him.
Community Outcry and Demands for Justice
This tragic case has ignited a firestorm of emotions across the region, with community members and activists calling for stringent action against the vigilantes. The incident has highlighted the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for a more robust legal framework to prevent such tragedies.
As the investigation continues, Aryan Mishra’s family and the wider community are seeking justice for the young man whose life was cut short by an act of mistaken identity. The case serves as a stark reminder of the perils of vigilantism and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives.
