The Malout Sadar police have arrested seven unidentified individuals in connection with the assault of two Dalit youths in Jhorar village, Muktsar district. The victims were accused of snatching a mobile phone and were allegedly paraded semi-naked, dragged through fields, tied to a tree, and beaten by a group of people on Saturday afternoon.
Arrests and Ongoing Search
Police have taken into custody Ram Chander, Ramesh Kumar, Hira Sahni, Basant Sahni, Ram Babu Sahni, Ram Bali Sahni, and Varinder Sahni—all residents of Nepal who were staying at the house of co-accused Avtar Singh in Jhorar. They have been sent to judicial custody. However, four accused named in the First Information Report (FIR)—Hardeep Singh, his father Avtar Singh, Rimpa Singh, and Manpreet Singh, all residents of Jhorar—remain at large.
Legal Action Under SC/ST Act
Malout Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh confirmed the arrests. A case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against the four named accused and seven unidentified persons. The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken cognizance of the incident and sought a report from the district police.
The incident highlights ongoing caste-based violence in the region, with the victims subjected to severe humiliation and physical assault over theft allegations. Authorities continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
