It was a cow: Final report in the Dadri lynching case confirms meat was beef

The final report on the meat found from the house of Akhlaq in Bisahra Village of Greater Noida, has confirmed that the flesh was that of a cow. The report was presented in the court on Tuesday. The same has been compiled by the Central Forensic and Scientific Lab in Mathura. Interestingly, the lab is governed by the Uttar Pradesh government.

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Interestingly, the preliminary report of the lab test of the pieced of meat recovered from the house of Akhlaq had ruled out that it was cow meat. The report suggested that the flesh is that of a goat. 50-year-old Akhlaq was killed by an angry mob over allegations and rumour that his family was feasting on meat of a cow calf.

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The timing of the report is in question. The report confirming that if was cow meat comes at a time when Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are round the corner. This report could well be used as a tool to funnel religious sentiments by various political parties and divide the state on religious grounds quite easily.

The earlier and report had been issued by the Deputy Chief Medical Veterinary Officer of the Government Veterinary Hospital, of Dadri, Disrtict Gautam Budh Nagar. It says that "due to the request of Tej Pal Singh, Sub-Inspector, Police Station Jarcha, case no. 241/15 dated 29/09/2015, I have examined the meat seized by the police from the village".

The report said that meat weighing about 4-5 kilograms in the form of small pieces, which was non-hygienic, red in colour and foul smelling with deposits of white fat was received for further tests. The meat pieces were from the the hind legs of the animal and skin of the animal was intact.

A file photo of Mohammad Akhlaq's family after a mob lynched him to death. Image courtesy: Getty Images

The officer had then concluded the initial report by saying that "to the best of my knowledge, it seems that this meat belongs to goat progeny but for final confirmation and diagnosis, sample have been taken and sent to forensic laboratory, Mathura. Rest of the meat was handed over to the police authority for final disposal".

The incident had taken place in Bisahra Village of Greater Noida on the night of September 28, last, when there was an announcement was made from 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's house 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 Delhi. The elder son of Akhlaq and Danish's elder brother is a Corporal with the Indian Air Force and was posted in Chennai when the incident took place.

The local 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.