A Class 12 student, Aryan Mishra, was shot dead after a 30-kilometer car chase on August 23, allegedly by a group of five suspected cow vigilantes who claimed they mistook him for a cattle smuggler. The incident occurred near the Gadhpuri toll on the Delhi-Agra National Highway.
The five accused, identified as Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, and Adesh, were arrested on August 28 and remanded in police custody for two days, according to Superintendent of Police (Crime) Aman Yadav. The arrests followed an investigation that revealed the accused had received information about suspected cattle smugglers in the area. Mistaking Aryan and his friends, Shanky and Harshit, for the smugglers, the group pursued their vehicle.
Police sources reported that when the accused demanded the boys stop their car, the driver allegedly sped up, prompting the suspects to open fire, resulting in Aryan’s death at the scene. Authorities have recovered the illegal weapon used in the shooting and the car involved in the chase.
After their police remand expired, the accused were placed in judicial custody. The police are continuing to investigate the incident, including whether there was any previous enmity involved. The victim’s father has alleged that one of Aryan’s acquaintances who was with him during the chase may have conspired in the killing.
The weapon will be sent for forensic examination to verify the statements made by the accused. However, the official police statement did not confirm whether the suspects were indeed cow vigilantes or the exact motive behind the killing.