On Saturday night (September 27, 2025), panic spread in the Laxman Bagh locality of Bichhiya police station area in Rewa when residents discovered a severed cow head lying in the middle of the road. By Sunday (September 28) morning, the situation escalated as enraged locals placed the head on the road and staged a blockade, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Eyewitnesses alleged that two unidentified men were seen conducting a “recce” in the locality the night before. Villagers later found that a cow, usually seen roaming in the neighbourhood, had gone missing. By dawn, its severed head was discovered, sparking outrage and unrest.
Residents recalled that similar incidents had occurred earlier in the area, leading to heightened vigilance. Many claimed they had noticed suspicious movements overnight, which were later confirmed through CCTV footage showing unidentified men acting suspiciously.
In one video, shared by local resident Vishal Singh Parihar, a cow was seen running in fear, allegedly chased by the suspects. The footage further intensified anger in the locality.
Balakrishna Dwivedi, a local leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), warned, “Our religious sentiments have been deeply hurt. If the administration fails to arrest the culprits swiftly, we will escalate our protests on a larger scale.”
Police assured strict action against the culprits. According to the FIR, a case was registered the same day against unknown accused under multiple provisions: BNS Sections 196(2), 299, and 365, Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Sections 6/9 of the Madhya Pradesh Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Rules, 2004.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Pathak visited the site and assured locals of “swift and strict action” once the accused were identified. SHO of Bichhiya Police Station, Manidha Upadhyay, confirmed that two people, Mohammad Ismail and a minor, had been detained in connection with the case.
She appealed to residents to maintain peace and cooperate with police during the investigation.
Adding a disturbing twist, a local woman named Akbari Begum claimed that beef was being delivered to makeshift huts in the locality for as little as Rs 100-200. Her statement has been taken into account by investigators.
The police are currently examining CCTV footage, gathering forensic evidence, and recording local testimonies to build a stronger case.
With two suspects in custody and protests simmering, the administration remains on high alert. The case has triggered widespread outrage in the Hindu community, with organisations vowing to intensify protests if the accused are not punished swiftly.
