New Delhi: Three men transporting buffaloes in a truck were allegedly roughed up by three people in south east Delhi’s Kalkaji area, following which cross-complaints have been registered.
The FIR mentions that the accused are the members of the major animal rights group People for Animals (PFA), but PFA has denied any association with the incident.
According to the police, they received a call on Saturday night from one Gaurav Gupta, who said he is an animal activist and office bearer of PFA, claiming that buffaloes were being transported illegally.
The occupants of the truck claimed that they had been roughed up by a group led by Gupta.
However, PFA denied any association with the incident. Union minister Maneka Gandhi is one of the founding members of People For Animals and is also its chairperson.
“We have no PFA unit in Delhi. We have 10,000 volunteers across the country. Whoever acted, did so in his individual capacity,” Gandhi’s office said.
It is learnt that the Minister spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the area about the incident. Medical examination of the injured, Rizwan, Ashu and Kaamil, was carried out and the truck carrying the buffaloes was seized by the police.
A case has been registered against the three men based on a complaint by Gaurav Gupta and his fellow activists, who claimed to be PFA members, while the driver of the truck that was going to Ghazipur Mandi, made a complaint against the activists, police said.
A case of voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint has been registered against the three accused who made the attack.
Further investigation is underway. Police said they are verifying whether the people who intercepted the truck are indeed members of the PFA. Future course of action will be decided after clarity is achieved on this issue, police said.
PTI