Muslim man lynched over unverified assault allegation in India
Police say allegations against the victim remain under investigation as authorities probe the mob killing separately and detain several suspects
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob in eastern India after villagers accused him of sexually assaulting a minor girl, even as police said the allegation against him had not been verified and remains under investigation.
The lynching took place Tuesday in Jharkhand state’s Chatra district, where hundreds of villagers allegedly surrounded the home of Md Emroz after a missing minor girl returned and accused him of confining and sexually assaulting her.
Police have opened separate investigations into the allegation against Emroz and the mob violence that killed him.
Authorities said the girl has been sent for a medical examination and investigators are awaiting the results before determining whether the allegation can be substantiated.
Police have nevertheless registered a criminal case under India’s child protection laws based on her statement while stressing that the investigation remains ongoing.
According to a police complaint filed by Emroz’s father, a crowd of about 100 to 150 people stormed the family’s home, accusing them of hiding the girl. The complaint alleges the mob tied up Emroz’s parents before attacking Emroz with sticks and stones when he attempted to intervene.
The complaint further alleges that police personnel were present during the assault. Emroz was later taken into police custody before his family was informed that he had died while receiving medical treatment.
His father named 56 people in the complaint and alleged that videos of the assault were recorded and circulated on social media.
Police said several suspects have been detained in connection with the lynching, while additional security forces were deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
Officials said the investigations into the alleged sexual assault and the mob killing are being conducted independently, emphasizing that the allegation against Emroz has yet to be established while those responsible for the lynching could face criminal prosecution.
The killing is the latest in a series of mob attacks in India in which individuals have been assaulted or killed before criminal allegations against them were tested through the legal process, raising renewed concerns over vigilante violence and extrajudicial punishment.
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