Two Dalit men were allegedly assaulted, paraded semi-naked and dragged through agricultural fields by a mob in Punjab’s Jharod village after villagers accused them of snatching a mobile phone.
According to police, the incident took place on Saturday when the two men were caught by locals after they allegedly tried to snatch the phone of a migrant labourer. Police claimed the men were suspected drug addicts.
Videos of the incident, which later went viral on social media, showed the two men with their hands tied while several people dragged them through fields by lifting their legs. The footage sparked outrage and raised concerns over mob violence and public humiliation.
Family Questions Mob Justice
The mother of one of the victims condemned the assault and said her son should have been handed over to the police instead of being brutally beaten.
“I do not know what my son did, but they thrashed him badly. If they had done something wrong, the villagers should have informed the police,” she said.
The family’s reaction has raised questions about the growing trend of mob justice and whether legal procedures were ignored.
Police Launch Investigation
Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh said the police came to know about the incident after the video surfaced online and later visited the village.
“The medical examination of both men has been conducted. They have blunt injury marks on their bodies. Further action will be taken based on the medical reports and their statements,” the officer said.
Police also confirmed that both men have been booked in connection with the alleged mobile phone snatching case. Officials added that one of the men had previously been booked in a case involving the recovery of 200 sedative tablets.
SC Commission Seeks Report
The incident has drawn the attention of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, which took suo motu notice of the matter. The commission has sought a report from the Muktsar Senior Superintendent of Police by June 9.
