Cow skinned by Dalits was killed by lions: Probe

While probing the Dalit flogging incident near Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka, the CID-Crime officials said they have learnt from eye-witnesses that the cow was killed by lions on the intervening night of July 10 and 11.

According to CID Inspector General SS Trivedi, who is supervising the probe, lions had killed four cows near Mota Samadhiyala that night. 

“During our probe, eye-witnesses told us that lions had killed a cow in Bediya village near Mota Samadhiyala and three other cows in surrounding villages during that night. The Dalit victims were called in the morning to dispose of the carcasses. Thus, it is clear that the victims were not involved in cow slaughter,” said Trivedi.

Though the village is located away from Gir sanctuary, lions are usually spotted in the area. Trivedi said it was still a matter of investigation as to who called the ‘cow vigilantes’ when the Dalits were skinning the cow and what was the motive behind giving such false information, which led to the brutal thrashing.