Araria, Bihar — August 28, 2024: A chilling case of mob justice in Araria district has led to the arrest of five individuals after a video surfaced online showing a group of men torturing a suspected bike thief. The video, which has since gone viral, depicts a man being forcibly restrained, his pants pulled down, and chili powder being stuffed into his rectum.
Police Action and Public Statement
The incident occurred on August 25, 2024, in the Islamnagar area under the jurisdiction of the Araria police station. Following the circulation of the video, the Araria Police acted swiftly, arresting one man identified as Mohammed Shifaat on August 26, 2024. Shifaat, a resident of Islamnagar, reportedly took matters into his own hands after his bike, parked outside Sadar Hospital, was allegedly stolen. The police stated that Shifaat and his associates caught the suspect, a resident of Simraha, and subjected him to the brutal act.
By August 28, 2024, police had arrested four additional suspects involved in the incident, bringing the total number of arrests to five. The police condemned the incident as “inhuman” and emphasized that further arrests are expected as the investigation continues. A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the video’s authenticity had been verified and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend others involved.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders, particularly from the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, criticized the state government, referring to the situation in Bihar as “Taliban rule” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He accused the ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance of enabling such lawlessness and alleged that the media’s silence on the matter was due to caste biases.
In contrast, BJP state vice president Santosh Pathak condemned the incident but praised the police for their prompt action. “The incident is condemnable. But the police reacted fast and arrested the accused,” he stated.
Police Appeal and Legal Warnings
In a public appeal, the Araria district police urged citizens not to share the disturbing video, highlighting that its circulation further harms the victim’s dignity. The police warned that anyone found distributing the video could face legal action, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
This incident has reignited discussions around mob justice and the law and order situation in Bihar, with calls for stricter measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities focused on ensuring justice for the victim and holding all perpetrators accountable.
Gangtokian Web Team, 28/08/2024