Two owners, one buffalo and a DNA test: Bihar cops face a unique dispute

In the rural district of Gaya in Bihar, two men, Suraj Yadav and Prakash Manjhi, are embroiled in a dispute over ownership of a single buffalo. According to Yadav, the animal went missing from his village of Seutar, only to resurface at the residence of Manjhi a week later. This sparked a police complaint from Manjhi, who claimed he legally leased the buffalo.

Initially, the police resolved the situation by allowing the buffalo to return to Yadav's home, which infuriated Manjhi enough to file a complaint under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The matter has gained political undertones, with Ajay Yadav, a former RJD MLA and alias Ranjit Yadav, complaining about victimization by Manjhi's supporters.

To resolve the dispute, Bihar police have decided to employ a DNA test as a novel approach. Former Magadh IG Vikas Vaibhav proposed the test, stating that it would help match the buffalo's genetic records with those of both claimants to determine ownership. The police have requested records from both parties, including lineage details, to match against the buffalo's DNA.

If the DNA test confirms the buffalo belongs to one party, it will mark the first instance of its kind in Gayaji. Currently, the five-year-old buffalo resides in Yadav's house, causing Manjhi considerable distress.