A 25-year-old Muslim man selling bangles was mercilessly beaten in full public view by a group of men, who also took away ₹ 10,000 that he was carrying in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore on Sunday, NDTV reported.
A police case was registered late at night reportedly after hundreds of people gathered outside the police station demanding action against the accused.
The three main accused were arrested within 24 hours of the incident.
Earlier, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, quoting the police, said the victim was attacked after people realised that he was using a fake name to run his business. “This (incident) shouldn’t be given a communal colour,” he said.
In the video of the incident that has been circulating on social media, the victim, identified as Tasleem, is seen being beaten up by a group of men in a crowded street in Banganga area in Indore. The unidentified men are heard using communal slurs at him as people around him watch – none of them try to help the victim.
“Take whatever you want. He should not be seen in this area anymore,” a man is heard saying as he takes out bangles from the bag. The man also asks the public to come forward and thrash the victim, who is seen being pulled up by his t-shirt by a man from behind.
Later, three to four men come forward and mercilessly thrash him.
Asked about the incident, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said: “This shouldn’t be given a communal colour. If a man hides his name, caste and religion then bitterness comes in. Our daughters wear bangles and apply henna during sawan (monsoon). He had come as a bangle seller, there was confusion and the truth came out after seeing his ID”.
The police have appealed to the people not to react to the social media posts on the incident.
