Set against a cluster of modest brick homes, still waiting for their final coat of plaster, Sajida’s tiny storefront adds an unexpected splash of colour to the neighbourhood. Strings of glass bangles sway gently at the entrance, glinting in the daylight and drawing in passersby. Though the shop occupies only a small space, every corner is carefully arranged. Embellished dresses hang neatly along one wall, shelves are lined with lipsticks in shades ranging from soft nudes to bold reds, and rows of glittering earrings are displayed with quiet precision. It is more than a place to buy cosmetics or clothing, it is a space where, amid the weight of everyday struggles, beauty, routine, and resilience continue to coexist.
Seated on a worn chair inside her shop, Sajida watches the day unfold one customer at a time. Every sale, however small, brings a fleeting moment of relief. Each morning begins with the same quiet hope, that enough people will walk through her door to keep the household going. The rhythm of serving customers and arranging shelves has become a way of holding life together.
But this fragile sense of normalcy is painfully recent. Just over a year ago, her world was shattered. Her husband, Junaid, and his cousin, Nasir, were abducted and later found burned alive in a case that sent shockwaves across the country. For Sajida, the violence did not end with their deaths; it marked the beginning of a long struggle for justice, one that continues to shape every aspect of her life.
Before dawn broke on February 16, 2023, a burnt vehicle stood abandoned near the Haryana–Rajasthan border. Inside were the charred remains of two men whose deaths would soon reverberate far beyond their village. They were Junaid, 35, and his 25-year-old cousin, Nasir, both residents of Ghatmika in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district. Investigators allege that the two had been abducted the previous night, assaulted for hours, and ultimately killed by self-styled cow vigilantes who accused them of cattle smuggling. The discovery of their bodies transformed a local crime into one of the country’s most widely discussed cases of vigilante violence.
According to the investigation, Junaid and Nasir were allegedly held captive and assaulted for several hours by two groups of cow vigilantes at locations along the Rajasthan–Haryana border, including areas around Bharatpur and Ferozepur Jhirka. Investigators allege that the injured men were later taken to the Ferozepur Jhirka police station in Haryana by the vigilantes. However, instead of being taken into custody or provided immediate medical care, they were allegedly turned away by police personnel, who reportedly feared that the two men might die while in police custody.
Investigators allege that after leaving the police station, one of the vigilante groups drove Junaid and Nasir to Bhiwani in Haryana, where the vehicle carrying them was set on fire. By the time the burnt vehicle was discovered, little remained except their charred skeletal remains.
Among those named in the case was Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante associated with the Bajrang Dal, who emerged as one of the principal accused during the early stages of the investigation. However, senior Rajasthan Police officials later said there was no evidence that he had been physically present at the scene of the killings, adding that investigators were examining whether he had any indirect or background role in the incident.
The killings left two families devastated. Nasir was survived by his wife and an adopted daughter. Junaid left behind his wife, Sajida, and their six children.
The loss rippled through the family in ways that extended far beyond that February night. Junaid’s daughter, Parvana, who was 12 at the time of his death, struggled to cope with the trauma of losing her father. According to her family, she fell seriously ill in the months that followed, spending much of her time confined to bed. She later died, adding another layer of grief to a family already torn apart by violence.
Sajida, who was facing financial difficulties, found support from Miles2Smile, a Delhi-based Non-Profit Organization. She recounted how her daughter, deeply attached to her late father, tragically passed away recently due to grief. Sajida expressed disbelief over her daughter’s death but shared her determination to open a shop.
“I told him about my interest in opening a cosmetic shop” Sajida added.
“I now receive a decent monthly income from my shop,” Sajida said with a wave of happiness on her face.
On being asked about her other children, Sadija said, “I wanted them to study at a private school.”
Junaid’s death was a shock to Sajida, but she had faith in Justice; unfortunately, that too betrayed her.
She told FoEJ that she thought Junaid would get justice within a few days, but it’s a battle she’s still fighting.
“It took too long to apprehend Moni, but I’m hopeful that all the other accused will be arrested soon,” said Sajida.
Who is Monu Manesar, and What’s his Connection with Nasir and Junaid?
Monu Manesar, also known as Mohit Yadav, was the prime accused in the Nasir and Junaid cases. He holds an important position in the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist organization. He is known for his involvement in cow vigilante activities and has a history of violent actions against Muslims and other minorities.
A total of 21 individuals, including Monu Manesar, have been named in connection with the murders of Nasir and Junaid. On September 13, 2023, Monu Manesar, the main accused, was arrested.
Earlier in this case, due to Monu’s active involvement in cow vigilante activities, his YouTube account with 200,000 subscribers was also terminated.
He has also been accused of the violent behaviour of the Nuh; he allegedly triggered the clashes. The violence began on July 31, 2023, during the ‘Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra’ organised by the VHP and then spread to adjoining areas, including Gurugram. A pistol and three live rounds were recovered from him during the arrest of Manesar in Gurugram district.
Manesar was a prime figure in the brutal lynching of Nasir and Junaid. Meanwhile, DGP stated that Monu was “not directly involved” in the incident and only his role in the background was being probed.
However, the Rajasthan police later clarified that Monu Manesar is an accused in the FIR, and his “role in hatching conspiracy and abetting the heinous crime is under active investigation.”
However, media reports said that during the interrogation by the Rajasthan Police, Monu Manesar confessed that the plan to murder Nasir-Junaid was hatched eight days before their abduction, and when they were picked up, they did not have a cow with them. After this, they were beaten and taken to Firozpur Jhirka police station in an injured condition.
Villagers and Families Protest Lynching of Nasir and Junaid, Alleging Rajasthan Government Suppression
After the brutal lynching of the duo, the families of Nasir and Juniad and the villagers of the Ghatmika staged a protest against the iniquity that happened with the deceased. Mohammed Jabir, a cousin of Nasir and Junaid, led the protest and staged it in front of the graves of the duo in an attempt to seek justice. However, the villagers had accused the Rajasthan government of trying to “silence” them and call off the protest.
Chargesheet Filed
Four months after the killings, on June 16, 2023, the Rajasthan Police submitted its first chargesheet in the Junaid and Nasir murder case. It named three accused—Rinku Saini, Monu Rana (also known as Narendra Kumar), and Gogi, alias Monu—and invoked multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including charges related to rioting, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, murder, destruction of evidence, and criminal conspiracy.
The investigation, however, remained open with respect to 27 other accused, including Monu Manesar. Citing Section 173(8) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police stated that further investigation would continue before filing any supplementary chargesheet against them.
Political Outrage
The Junaid and Nasir lynching cases sparked strong political reactions, with the Rajasthan government facing criticism for its attempts to suppress the protests and for its inactive measures.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the BJP and RSS for “supporting the inhuman act” of the lynching of Junaid and Nasir. Owaisi accused the right-wing groups of trying to protect the accused and prevent their arrest. The Rajasthan Congress government had also been criticised for its handling of the case, with allegations that it is trying to “stifle” the protests and “silence” the victims’ families.
Support by the Government?
The government of Rajasthan provided Junaid’s wife, Sajida, a total compensation of Rs 6 lakh. This amount included Rs 5 lakh each from the state government and Rs 1 lakh from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chairman Asaduddin Owaisi, but was that the only support she needed? What about justice? What about long battles of the court?
The conglomerate of hate and religiously motivated lynching of Junaid and Nasir gave shivers to the diaspora of the Muslim community. Muslims of Ghatmika are still scared to cross their village but then “there are people like Aasif bhai who make life bearable,” Sajid told FoEJ.
On talking to Mujtaba he told FoEJ about the resilience of Sajida, he labelled her as “the bravest woman” and “epitomises resilience.”
“I’ve met many brave women but Sajida is the bravest woman,” Mujtaba said.
“She took care of her children alone, witnessed the loss of husband and a daughter, encountered many hurdles, certainly she epitomises bravery and resilience.” he added
