In a grim incident of mob justice, a 40-year-old man was brutally lynched by villagers in Jharkhand's Godda district on suspicion of stealing cattle. The victim, identified as Pappu Ansari, a resident of Ranipur village, was allegedly caught by locals and beaten to death with sticks and rods.
The Fatal Night and Police Discovery
According to police reports, the incident occurred in the Podaiyahat police station area during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Villagers reportedly caught Ansari "red-handed" around 1 am while he was allegedly attempting to steal cattle. A violent assault followed, leading to his death.
His body was later recovered by the police on Thursday from a field situated between Matihani and Lata villages. The local chowkidar (police guard) informed the concerned police station on Thursday morning, after which a team led by Officer-in-Charge Mahavir Pandit rushed to the spot. The body was taken into custody and sent for a post-mortem examination at the Godda sadar hospital.
Investigation Launched and Criminal Record
Following the incident, Godda SP Mukesh Kumar constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the lynching. The SIT is being led by DSP (Headquarters) JPN Chaudhary, who confirmed that the victim succumbed to injuries from a beating with sticks.
Police records reveal that the deceased, Pappu Ansari, had a criminal history. Two prior cases were registered against him at the Pathargama and Muffasil police stations for offences related to cattle theft and copper wire theft.
Sequence of Events and Ongoing Probe
Sources detailed that Ansari had arrived in Matihani village on Wednesday night in a pick-up vehicle along with three accomplices. Their movements allegedly woke the villagers, who then confronted them. While Ansari's three associates managed to flee the scene, he was caught, chased, and ultimately beaten to death in the field.
Speaking about the investigation, SP Mukesh Kumar stated, "We have got some crucial leads, and the assailants are likely to be arrested soon." The police are actively pursuing the case to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the fatal mob attack.
This incident highlights the continuing trend of vigilante justice in rural areas, often triggered by suspicions of theft. It raises serious concerns about law and order and the need for legal processes to be upheld over mob violence.
