According to the report that came out on Tuesday, the forensic investigation lab in Mathura confirmed that on the basis of chemical analysis, the meat sample collected from Akhlaq’s residence in Dadri belonged to cow or it’s progeny. Notably, the preliminary report of the lab test of the meat recovered from the house of Akhlaq had ruled out that it was cow meat. The report had suggested that the flesh is that of a goat.
The district court on May 17 ordered to give the forensic report to the accused Vikas Rana. Vikas filed a plea in court to disclose the forensic report and hand it over to them. Sanjay Rana, father of Vikas Rana said: “We will now take actions against Akhlaq’s whole family. We are consulting our lawyers to take legal actions against their family. Whole village is in shock that Akhlaq’s family slaughtered cow in the village.” According to Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 slaughtering of cows in Uttar Pradesh is illegal and a punishable offence. However, consumption of beef is not illegal.
The earlier report had been issued by the Deputy Chief Medical Veterinary Officer of the Government Veterinary Hospital of Dadri. It says that “due to the request of Tej Pal Singh, Sub-Inspector, Police Station Jarcha... I have examined the meat seized by the police from the village”.
The initial report had said that meat weighing about 4-5 kilograms in the form of small pieces, which was unhygienic, red in colour and foul smelling with deposits of white fat was received for further tests. The meat pieces were from the hind legs of the animal and skin of the animal was intact.
The incident had taken place in Bisada Village of Greater Noida on the night of September 28, last year, when there was an announcement made through the loud speaker of a local temple that the family members of Akhlaq were consuming beef at home.
Immediately, a mob of about 200 persons gathered outside the house of Akhlaq and hell broke loose. While Akhlaq was beaten to death, his younger son Danish, sustained severe head injuries.
He was treated at a local hospital in Noida from where he was later shifted to the Army Hospital in the national Capital. The police had registered an FIR and ten persons including the son of a local BJP leader was arrested. Seven more persons were arrested later taking the total arrest count to seventeen. The police have filed a charge-sheet in this case.