Mob Assaults Shopkeeper on Suspicion of Selling 'Beef'

A 44-year-old grocery store owner in northwest Delhi's Vijay Nagar was assaulted by a mob on Wednesday night, allegedly after a teenage boy and members of an NGO suspected him of selling cow meat to students, police said.

- Jignasa Sinha

NEW DELHI:

The incident took place near Delhi University's North Campus, an area densely populated with students living in rented accommodations.

The shopkeeper, Chaman Kumar—a Nepali national—was allegedly dragged out of his shop and assaulted by over 50 people. Police said the incident stemmed from a tip-off by a 15-year-old boy who claimed to have overheard students discussing cow meat.

The boy told HT he posed as a student from Kerala and inquired about beef for a birthday party. He alleged that Kumar initially denied selling meat but later agreed to sell him some the following day.

On Wednesday around 8:45 pm, the boy returned and claimed to have bought meat for ₹400/kg from Kumar. He said he then contacted members of the NGO 'Pahal Ek Jeevan Ki', located nearby, which describes itself as a cattle protection group. The group allegedly entered the shop to conduct a "raid," but the situation quickly escalated.