Bulandshahr: Yogesh Raj Makes Differing Claims on ‘Cow Slaughter’

Bajrang Dal member Yogesh Raj has claimed innonence, saying that he was not involved in the Bulandshahr violence.

The accused Yogesh Raj. 

(Photo: Video screengrab)

Two days after a police officer and a civilian were killed in mob violence over alleged cow slaughter, the main accused Yogesh Raj – a member of the Bajrang Dal – has claimed innocence. In a video that surfaced on Wednesday, 5 December, he is heard saying that he was not involved in the stone-pelting and firing incident that took place at the Chingrawati police chowki in UP's Bulandshahr.

“The police are portraying me as if I have had big criminal history. That day, two incidents happened. First, was the cow slaughter in Mahav village. I reached there and eventually resolved the issue, and went to the police station to file our complaint. When we were at the police station, we got to know about the stone-pelting and firing at that place (the Chingrawati police chowki).”

Yogesh Raj

Raj questioned why would the Bajrang Dal take part in the protests when their demand of filing a complaint was met, adding that he was confident of getting justice.

But interestingly, a claim made by the Bajrang Dal in the video is at odds with what he reportedly said in his complaint against cow slaughter at the Mahav village.

In the complaint, Raj reportedly said he, along with his friends, saw seven people slaughtering a cow on Monday morning while taking a walk. Following this, the latter apparently ran away from the place.

However, in the video, Raj is heard saying that he reached the spot of alleged cow slaughter only when he got the information.

“... The first incident happened in Mahav village where cows were slaughtered. When I got the information, I reached the spot along with my friends. The authorities also reached there...”

Yogesh Raj