A Muslim man was lynched by a mob in Bisada village near Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, following rumours that his family was storing and consuming beef.
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a probe into the incident. Initial probe suggests that the rumours were false.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said the probe would be completed on Wednesday.
Tension prevailed in the area after around 200 persons attacked the residence of Akhlaq after rumours spread in the village that a cow has been slaughtered on Monday night, police said on Wednesday.
The mob allegedly beat 50-year-old Akhlaq to death while his son Danish was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, they said.
The government has announced compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to Akhlaq's family.
Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the village.
Jaan Mohammad, a relative of the victim said, “An announcement was made at a local temple that a cow has been slaughtered here, following which a large number of people attacked our family.”
As the rumour spread, villagers blocked a highway in Bisrakh area yesterday demanding death penalty for those involved in the slaughter. When police tried to control the mob, a clash ensued in which one person, identified as Rahul Yadav, was shot at.
(With inputs from PTI)
