TNI Bureau: A 35-year-old man died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of men who objected to the transportation of cows in a pickup van in Odisha’s Balasore district.

The incident occurred when the assailants reportedly stopped the van and thrashed the driver and his helper. The helper, identified as Sk Makandar Mahammad, succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Balasore district hospital. The driver sustained injuries and is receiving medical care.

Police initially registered a case under the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against the driver and owner of the van, without mentioning the assault. Later, based on a complaint filed by the victim’s brother, Sk Jitendar Mahammad, another FIR was registered against five persons for mob violence. The accused have been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 103(2), which deals with murder by a mob.

Balasore Superintendent of Police Pratyush Diwakar said all five accused have been detained and are being questioned. Further investigation is underway to determine if others were involved.