Mob Violence Erupts in Mandsaur Over Child-Lifting Suspicions
In a disturbing echo of recent incidents, a mob in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, brutally assaulted an elderly man on Sunday evening, accusing him of being a child lifter. The attack occurred in the Narsinghpur area, where residents grew suspicious of the unidentified man's movements and quickly labeled him a threat without verification.
Details of the Assault and Police Response
According to police reports, the situation escalated rapidly as a large crowd gathered and began thrashing the man, tying his hands and legs with ropes. Videos circulating on social media later showed the victim lying helplessly on the ground while people kicked and punched him, with the crowd swelling to hundreds of onlookers.
Police from the Kotwali Police Station intervened after receiving information, rescuing the man and bringing him to the station. Mandsaur ASP TS Baghel stated, "The elderly man was rescued and brought to the police station where it was found that he had no criminal antecedents and was not a child lifter. He may have been mentally unstable. He was allowed to leave."
Investigation Findings and Lack of Legal Action
At the police station, the man reportedly gave incoherent answers and displayed unusual behavior, leading officials to suspect he might be mentally unstable. Authorities confirmed that no complaints of child theft had been received in the area, and a preliminary inquiry found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Despite this, the man was released without any charges. When questioned about potential legal action against the assailants, ASP Baghel said police were "looking into it," but no arrests or cases have been registered so far, even with clear video evidence of the assault.
Context and Broader Implications
This incident follows a similar attack in Indore, where a mentally unstable woman from Meerut was assaulted over child-lifting rumors, highlighting a troubling pattern of mob violence fueled by baseless fears. The Mandsaur case underscores the dangers of vigilante justice and the urgent need for public awareness and stricter law enforcement.
Police officials have urged residents to verify information before taking action, emphasizing that such attacks not only harm innocent individuals but also undermine community trust. The lack of immediate legal repercussions for the perpetrators raises concerns about accountability and the prevention of future incidents.
