A Catholic bishop in western India says he is pained by a court’s decision to acquit six people accused of beating to death, a Muslim man two years ago in a cow protection case. The court in Alwar district of Rajasthan on Aug. 14 gave “the benefit of doubt” in setting free the six, who were accused of being part of a cow vigilante mob that beat 55-year-old Pehlu Khan on a public road on April 1, 2017. Khan died in a hospital.

“The verdict is shocking and it pained me greatly,” said Bishop Pius Thomas D’Souza of Ajmer. “It is very sad as it comes when video footage was available of the mob lynching incident.” State Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot told media that the government will appeal against the order in a higher court.

The order was pronounced in the presence of the six accused, who were released on bail at different stages of the trial. Three other accused minors are facing proceedings before Alwar’s Juvenile Justice Board.