Mob assaults man after ‘child thief’ cry in Shajapur:Police rescue man, spray and handkerchiefs found

A young man was brutally beaten by a mob in Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday night after rumours spread that he was a child thief. The incident occurred in the Lal Khidki area of the city. According to information, the youth was seen wandering near the Hanuman temple in Ward No. 9 between 9 pm and 10 pm. He went close to a boy and a girl standing there, which made some people suspicious. Within minutes, rumours spread that he was a child lifter, and a crowd gathered at the spot. Mob attacked without verification Local resident Hemraj Chaudhary said people started shouting “child thief… child thief” as soon as the youth approached the children. Soon, a large crowd surrounded him and began beating him without verifying the facts. The mob pulled his hair, slapped him, and kicked and punched him repeatedly. During the incident, some handkerchiefs and a spray bottle were found in his possession, which further increased suspicion among the crowd. See 3 pictures of the assault Police rescued youth with difficulty Someone informed the Kotwali police during the assault. Police reached the spot and tried to calm the crowd, but the mob continued attacking the youth. After much effort, police managed to rescue him and took him into custody. He was then taken to the police station on a motorcycle. Police said the situation in the area is now under control. Youth appears mentally unstable, identity being verified Kotwali Station In-charge Santosh Waghela said that initial investigation suggests the youth may be mentally unstable. Some items were recovered from him, but there is no confirmation of any child-lifting gang operating in the district. Police are trying to identify the youth and contact his family. Police warn against rumours, promise strict action Ujjain Zone DIG Navneet Bhasin appealed to the public not to believe rumours or social media messages. He said people should immediately inform the police if they notice anything suspicious and should not take the law into their own hands. He added that FIRs have been registered in similar cases in other districts, and strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours or attack people without evidence.