Gaurav Gupta, an animal rights activist involved in the Saturday incident wherein three men were thrashed by cow vigilantes in Kalkaji, had, in 2015, claimed that he was a resident of 14, Ashoka Road, the official residence of Union Cabinet Minister Maneka Gandhi. He also claims to be a part of the animal rights group People For Animals (PFA) since 2005. Gandhi happens to be the Chairperson of PFA.
Rizwan, 25, Ashu, 28, and Kamil, 25, were allegedly thrashed by a mob, including animal activists, on Saturday night while they were transporting buffaloes to the legal slaughter at Ghazipur Mandi. On Monday, the Delhi Police arrested Shashank Sharma, who also claims to be a PFA activist, for attacking the three men.
"PFA has written to us saying there is no raiding team working for them in Delhi," a senior police officer, who is a part of the investigation, said.
It also came to the fore that in 2015, Gupta had given Gandhi's address as his own in a police complaint regarding illegal slaughter of camels in Delhi. In a text message to DNA, however, PFA trustee Gauri Mulekhi, stated: "No, his address is not 14, Ashok Road. That is the minister's residence."
It was further revealed that Gaurav's brother Saurabh, who also claims to be working for the PFA, had received a letter from Mulekhi in February, 2016. "Please note that there is no raiding team appointed by the organisation. Hence, there is no question of appointing you as the office bearer," she had written.
Mulekhi's letter had also stated that the police and other law enforcement agencies must be informed and due procedures must be followed. Police sources, however, said that the department was not informed before the three victims were attacked on Saturday. The cops were informed afterwards.
A copy of letter signed by Maneka Gandhi which states Gaurav and Saurabh are heads of the PFA’s wildlife protection
When queried about the letter, Saurabh said he, too, has a letter signed by the minister, in which she has stated that they (Gaurav and Saurabh) were a part of the 'investigating team' of the PFA.
The minister's letter, a copy of which is with DNA, was written on May 3, 2012 and undersigned by Maneka Gandhi. It stated that Gaurav and Saurabh are heads of the PFA's wildlife protection and investigating team. "They have been authorised by me to uncover wildlife poaching and smuggling of wildlife parts anywhere in India," the letter stated.
Regarding the address issue, Saurabh told DNA: "We do not write our own address as our fight is against the mafia. So, we write the address of PFA." When questioned about the Saturday incident, he said the truck was carrying more buffaloes than its capacity and they were tied by their necks.
QUOTES
1. Three cars came and stopped our truck. Despite us telling them that we have papers, they kept on beating us and even snatched our mobile phones and money. Around 15-20 persons hit us with sticks. We are not aware of the rules for transporting animals. — Victims
2. As per law, only six animals can be taken at a time. We are investigating both the cases registered at the Kalkaji police station. — RP Upadhyay, Joint Commissioner of Police
3. I know Vandana Sharma, and Shashank (the arrestee) is her son, who was also present on Saturday night. He has got bail now. I challenge you that the FIR against Shashank will be quashed. We will approach the Delhi High Court. — Saurabh Gupta, Gaurav's brother.
4. We understand that there is a lot of illegal cattle trade taking place. But, beating up is certainly not the way. We do not condone any sort of illegal activity. In the past, PFA has issued letters as a disclaimer to reiterate that no PFA member should raid, trespass, or challan any person found illegally trading with cattle. This person, Gaurav Gupta, has acted in his personal capacity. — Gauri Mulekhi
