Gurugram: A 28-year-old man was arrested after a video of him feeding chicken momos to a cow in Gurugram’s Sector 56 HUDA Market went viral, triggering public anger and allegations of hurting religious sentiments.

The accused, Ritik Chandna, a resident of New Colony, has been active on multiple social media platforms and reportedly admitted to creating the video for online popularity. Police officials said Chandna told investigators that he had been paid ₹3,000 by an unidentified person to film and upload the stunt.

How the incident unfolded

According to police, the video, live-streamed several days ago, shows Chandna buying chicken momos from a shop in the Sector 56 market. After eating a few himself, he is seen offering the remaining momos to a cow standing nearby.

A senior officer said several of Chandna’s neighbours came across the clip and urged him to remove it. When he refused, they informed a group of self-styled cow vigilantes, who then approached the Sector 56 police station to file a complaint.

Gurugram Police spokesperson Sandeep Turan said the complainant brought Chandna to the police station, where he was taken into custody on Monday.

“He confessed to the act and was later granted bail. The complainant has also submitted the video, and an investigation is under way,” Turan said.

An FIR has been registered on the complaint of Chaman Khatana under- Section 299 – deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, Section 325 – mischief by killing or maiming an animal.

Was he paid to do the stunt?

Investigators are verifying Chandna’s claim that he received ₹3,000- ₹4,000 from an unknown person to create the video. Officials said they are also examining his social media accounts to check if similar content was posted earlier or if anyone else was involved in planning the stunt.