HYDERABAD: Three men have been arrested in connection with opening fire on a cow vigilante who attempted to stop them in Pocharam, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The incident occurred on Thursday, as reported by the police.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Qureshi (24) from Bandlaguda, Kuruva Srinivas (29) from Shahbad, and Hassanbin Mohsin (22) from the Kalapathar area. Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu stated that another accused, Mohammad Haneef Qureshi (34), is currently absconding and is being sought by the police.
The group is accused of shooting Bidla Prashant Kumar alias Sonu (29), who sustained a bullet injury and is receiving treatment at Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad. According to a complaint filed by Sonu’s mother, Bidla Radhika, the incident took place around 5 pm on Wednesday near the Pocharam IT corridor.
Prashant, an activist with the Go Rakshak Dal, had been called to Yamnampet by a friend. Upon arrival, he was confronted by Ibrahim, Haneef Qureshi, and Hassan Bin Mohsin, who questioned him for exposing their alleged illegal cattle transportation activities.
During the confrontation, Ibrahim reportedly retrieved a firearm from his car and shot Prashant in the chest before fleeing the scene. Prashant was initially taken to Srikara Hospital in Medipally and later transferred to Yashoda Hospital. Police successfully recovered the bullet from the injured individual.
Special police teams were swiftly formed to apprehend the suspects, and three were arrested within 12 hours. Authorities seized a country-made pistol, a Maruti Swift car, three mobile phones, and two spent cartridges from the arrested men.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused harbored resentment towards Prashant for drawing attention to their illegal cattle transportation operations, which they claimed resulted in a loss of ₹1 crore. Additionally, the arrested individuals reportedly alleged that Prashant had demanded ₹5 lakh to cease his vigilante activities.
The suspects have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, including attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Arms Act of 1959.
It was also noted that the accused individuals have prior cases registered against them, including those under the Telangana State Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.