The National Human Rights Commission has served notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh for the riots in the Mainpuri district earlier this month, which were triggered by cow slaughter rumours. The NHRC, which took up the matter based on media coverage of the violence, has asked for a report within two weeks.

The commission released a statement saying the incident was "a serious issue disturbing the secular fabric of the country", and the state should act immediately to ensure that citizens' fundamental rights are not threatened.

On October 7, two butchers were nearly lynched while skinning a cow that had died of natural causes. A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered, accused the butchers of killing the animal and beat them up. While the police rescued the two men, several vehicles and shops were burnt in the fracas that continued through the day. Twenty-one people were arrested for the violence.