Police in Bareilly have arrested three individuals, including two minors, for the alleged abduction and brutal assault of a 16-year-old Dalit boy. The attack, which stemmed from a dispute over comments made on social media, was recorded by the perpetrators.
Social Media Argument Sparks Violent Attack
The incident occurred on the night of December 31. According to authorities, the conflict began online when the accused took offence to remarks the survivor had allegedly made about the sister of one of them. Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam stated that the accused harboured resentment from this digital altercation.
The victim, the son of a daily wage labourer, lived in the same neighbourhood as the accused. His mother filed the official complaint, detailing a harrowing sequence of events.
Kidnapping and Brutal Assault Captured on Video
As per the complaint, the boy was out for a walk when the accused arrived on motorcycles. They allegedly abducted him at gunpoint and took him to a secluded spot near a pond. The assailants, brandishing knives and firearms, then stripped the teenager naked and beat him brutally.
In a move intended to amplify the humiliation, the accused filmed the entire assault. This video later surfaced on Saturday, bringing the incident to light. Despite the terror, the boy managed to escape, reach home, and narrate his ordeal to his family. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and was later discharged.
Police Action and Charges Filed
Following the registration of the First Information Report (FIR), police swiftly nabbed three persons. Two other accused remain on the run. The case has been registered under multiple stringent sections.
The charges include:
- BNS Section 137(2) for kidnapping
- BNS Section 191(2) for rioting
- BNS Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 67B of the IT Act
- Relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The investigation is ongoing as police work to apprehend the remaining fugitives. This case highlights the severe real-world consequences that can erupt from online disputes and the continued vulnerability of marginalised communities.
