India Today reporter Himanshu Mishra detailed the sequence of events that unfolded in Mathura on Eid al-Fitr (March 21), where tensions escalated following the death of a local cow vigilante, Chandrasekhar, widely known as “Farsa Wale Baba.” What initially appeared to be a targeted killing soon turned out to be a tragic accident, though not before rumours triggered unrest in the area.
The incident occurred late Friday night on the Delhi-Agra highway, when Chandrasekhar, accompanied by his followers, was inspecting a container truck suspected of being involved in cow smuggling. During this time, another truck approached from behind and ran him over. Soon after, rumours began circulating that he had been deliberately killed by cattle smugglers, which led to anger among his supporters.
By Saturday morning, around 10 am, reports of his death, along with incidents of stone-pelting and injuries to police personnel, began surfacing. Given the sensitivity of the situation—coinciding with Eid and involving a cow vigilante—there were immediate concerns about potential escalation. Initial attempts to reach local police went unanswered, further raising apprehensions about the ground situation.
As the reporter moved towards the location while gathering background details, Mathura Police eventually responded and indicated that the situation had been brought under control. Officials clarified that while there had been violence earlier, including stone-pelting that injured some police personnel, the unrest had largely been fuelled by misinformation. They confirmed that Chandrasekhar’s death was not a result of any attack by smugglers but was caused by a road accident under conditions of poor visibility. Authorities also noted that some outsiders were involved in provoking the violence.
By around 1:30 pm, upon reaching the Chhata police outpost on the highway, visible signs of the earlier chaos remained—stones scattered across the road, abandoned footwear, and damage to the police outpost, including its broken signboard. By then, an official police statement had clarified the sequence of events: between 3:00 and 4:00 am in the Kosi area, Chandrasekhar had stopped a vehicle on suspicion, and due to dense fog, a truck collided with him from behind, resulting in his death. The container he had intercepted was carrying grocery items, while the truck that struck him was loaded with wire, ruling out any link to cattle smuggling.
At the actual accident site, located about 17 kilometres from the outpost towards Delhi, physical evidence supported the accident narrative. Chandrasekhar’s damaged motorcycle lay by the roadside, skid marks were visible on the road, and a severely damaged truck stood nearby. Blood stains at the scene highlighted the severity of the collision. It was later confirmed that the truck driver also died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Police investigations further established that neither vehicle was involved in cattle transport. The container was registered in Nagaland and carried grocery goods, while the truck involved in the collision belonged to Rajasthan and was transporting wire. Officials also pointed out that dense fog during the night likely played a significant role in the accident.
The reporter then visited Chandrasekhar’s ashram, located about 15–20 kilometres away. The atmosphere there was subdued yet emotionally intense. His funeral was underway, and followers gathered in mourning. Some close associates, including a man named Hariom who was reportedly present during the incident, expressed doubts about the accident theory and alleged that the crash might have been intentional, suggesting a possible conspiracy. Similar sentiments were echoed by others at the ashram.
The ashram also housed a large cowshed, reflecting Chandrasekhar’s dedication to cow protection, which had earned him respect among locals. In response to the situation, security was tightened, with police deployment and senior officials closely monitoring developments.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash later visited the ashram and reiterated that the incident was a road accident that occurred near the Haryana border, confirming the deaths of both Chandrasekhar and the truck driver. He acknowledged Chandrasekhar’s work in cow protection and assured that the administration would take responsibility for the care of the cows at the ashram. He also stated that demands such as granting martyr status, constructing a memorial, and forming a cow vigilante task force would be considered in accordance with existing rules.
The report ultimately highlights how rapidly misinformation can spread and intensify tensions, particularly on sensitive occasions. Although authorities managed to restore order, the emotional impact and lingering doubts among sections of the local population remain evident.
