Gaya: A dispute over the ownership of a buffalo in Bihar's Gaya district has escalated, reaching the Inspector General (IG) of Magadh Range, Vikas Vaibhav. Former RJD MLA from Atri assembly constituency, Ajay Yadav alias Ranjit Yadav, met with IG Vaibhav on Thursday to lodge a complaint, after which the IG instructed the Gaya Rural SP to investigate the matter.

The controversy began about a week ago when a buffalo belonging to Suraj Yadav of the Atri area went missing. After an extensive search, the buffalo was found tied at the house of a Mahadalit, and Suraj Yadav brought it home, claiming it as his own. Subsequently, the person at whose house the buffalo was found approached the police station, asserting ownership of the animal. Atri police then brought the buffalo from Suraj Yadav's house and kept it at the police station for two days.

The situation intensified when a social media content creator questioned the station house officer (SHO). Following an investigation, the police returned the buffalo to its rightful owner, Suraj Yadav. However, the dispute did not end there. The Mahadalit, at whose house the buffalo was initially found, filed a case against Suraj Yadav under the SC-ST Act. Former MLA Ajay Yadav called this action 'unjust' and complained to the IG about SHO Ajay Kumar, accusing him of dishonesty in sand-related matters and other improper actions. Yadav also mentioned that the SHO had filed a case against the social media creator who questioned him.

Questioning the SHO's conduct, former MLA Ajay Yadav remarked that one could buy a new buffalo with the money spent on fighting this case. The issue has also taken a political turn, with Suraj Yadav suspecting the involvement of the current Atri MLA in instigating the dispute. The truth behind this entire controversy is expected to emerge only after the Rural SP's investigation.