A 36-year-old businessman was lynched by a mob after his car struck a woman who was washing utensils on a roadside in the Phulpur area of Varanasi, police said on Monday.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Sunday when Manish Singh was returning home from his factory. While driving through a road in Ghamhapur village, his car reportedly went out of control and hit a woman who was washing utensils on the roadside. The woman sustained injuries in the accident.
After the crash, Manish stepped out of his car to check on the injured woman. However, local villagers and the woman's family members soon surrounded him and began assaulting him with sticks and bricks. According to police, Manish suffered critical injuries and was left to die at the scene.
Family's Response and Police Action
Upon receiving information, Manish's family members rushed to the spot and took him to the BHU trauma centre, where doctors declared him dead. Based on a complaint filed by Manish's uncle, police registered an FIR against eight identified and seven unidentified individuals. On Monday, two accused were arrested, and 11 others were detained for questioning.
Manish is survived by his wife and three children.
Protests and Aftermath
Manish's family members staged a protest in the village on Monday, refusing to perform his last rites until all accused were arrested. The protest was called off after Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gomti Zone) Neetu Kadian and Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Anjan Tripathi assured the demonstrators that the guilty would not be spared. Manish's last rites were performed in the evening.
In view of the prevailing tension, police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel have been deployed in Ghamhapur village. Senior police officers are camping in the area, and a foot march was conducted to maintain law and order.
