Palamu: A 22-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by a group of villagers who suspected him of attempting to steal a vehicle battery in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, police said on Sunday.
The incident took place late Saturday night in Teliyahi village under the Padwa police station limits. The deceased has been identified as Pawan Ram, a resident of Murma village in the same area.
Palamu Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan said that police received information around 12:30 am that a man accused of trying to steal a vehicle battery had been caught by villagers. A patrolling team rushed to the spot and found the victim tied up and assaulted by a group of locals.
Police personnel rescued him and immediately shifted him to the nearest hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
According to the police, one accused has been detained so far. Authorities also suspect that the victim may have gone to the village to meet a woman and was subsequently accused by villagers of attempting to steal a tractor battery. However, no stolen battery was recovered from him.
Medininagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rajesh Kumar described the incident as a clear case of mob lynching. He said an FIR has been registered under Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant provisions. The detained accused has been identified as Paras Nath Mehta (35), and efforts are underway to apprehend others involved in the assault.
A medical board is conducting the post-mortem examination in the presence of a magistrate. The entire procedure is being videographed and photographed as part of the investigation.
Further probe into the incident is ongoing.
