Cow vigilante Monu Manesar arrested in Haryana; Rajasthan police to seek custody

Notorious cow vigilante Monu Manesar, who was named as prime accused in the Nasir–Junaid murder case, has been arrested by the Haryana police.

Junaid and Nasir’s charred bodies were found in a burnt vehicle in Haryana on 16 February 2022. They were allegedly killed by Manesar and his gang on suspicion of cow slaughter. Videos shared on social media showed that the Muslim men were chased down by Manesar and his gang of 'cow activists' (gau rakshak).

CCTV footage showing Manersar being arrested has surfaced on social media.

A prominent member of the RSS-affiliated Bajrang Dal, Manesar has been active in the Nuh (formerly Mewat) region on the border of Haryana and Rajasthan for a while. He will be handed over to the Rajasthan police, according to media reports.

News agency PTI reported that Manesar was sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a Nuh court.

It is worth recalling here that the Haryana police last month (August 2023) announced a probe Manesar’s role in Nuh violence.

"A special investigation team will be formed to probe all cases of violence," Haryana police chief PK Agrawal had said last month. "If there was any conspiracy, it will also be investigated and the guilty will not be spared. The role of Bajrang Dal’s Monu Manesar is also being investigated."

The police crackdown on Manesar has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While the general public welcomed the ‘action’, right-wing 'activists' attacked the Haryana police and trolled its supporters.

Quoting police sources, the Indian Express reported that Manesar was arrested for uploading “objectionable and inflammatory” posts on social media. One particular video uploaded by Manesar, triggered the violence in Nuh, police said.

VHP confirmed Manesar’s arrest, The Hindu reported. Calling Manesar’s arrest “unfortunate”,  VHP alleged that Congress leader Mamman Khan was behind the Nuh violence. The Haryana Police arrested Manesar in order to “hide its failure” alleged VHP.

Bharatpur SP Mridul Kachawa said Rajasthan Police has received the information regarding Manesar’s arrest. They are in contact with Haryana Police.

“We have received information that Haryana Police has detained Monu Manesar, who is wanted in Nasir and Junaid (lynching) case. Haryana Police is carrying out its further procedure and our officers are in contact with them. When their procedure is completed, (our) District Police will begin theirs,” Kachawa was quoted as saying by the media.