Two women suspected of involvement in a gold chain-snatching incident were beaten with shoes by a man at the Nagni Mata fair near Nurpur on Saturday after being caught by locals. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has sparked outrage over mob justice.
Details of the Incident
According to local residents, the two women were suspected of using a cutter to snatch a gold chain from a woman at the fair. They were apprehended by people present, and a cutter was allegedly recovered from one of them. Soon after, the husband of the alleged victim reportedly beat both women with a shoe in full public view. Onlookers filmed the assault, and the videos went viral on social media platforms.
The viral videos drew criticism from many residents, particularly women, who condemned the act of thrashing the suspects instead of handing them over to the police for legal action. The incident has reignited debates about the rule of law and the dangers of vigilante justice.
Police Response and Legal Action
Superintendent of Police (SP) Nurpur, Ilma Afroz, told The Tribune that the cyber cell is verifying the viral videos and local police have been directed to identify those involved in beating the women. Following a preliminary inquiry, police registered an FIR on Sunday morning under Sections 126(2), 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sahinta (BNS) against the persons allegedly involved in the assault.
SP Afroz emphasized that if a theft had been committed, the police and courts must establish guilt through a legal process, and the law does not permit anyone to punish a suspect on the spot. She added that the Nurpur district police are committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of women in the area.
Local Concerns and Context
Residents and devotees visiting the Nagni Mata fair alleged that a gang of women involved in chain snatching has been active during the weekly fairs on Saturday in the Shravan and Bhadon months. They also claimed that police had made no adequate arrangements to check this threat. The incident has highlighted the tension between public frustration over crime and the need for lawful procedures.
