A Muslim man was allegedly assaulted by a mob of over 10 men in Haridwar on Saturday for visiting a woman friend from another faith. According to the FIR, the mob barged into the woman’s house and assaulted the man, whom she had known for five years. The woman, who has been living in Haridwar for almost a decade, stated in her complaint that she was at home with her friend when the unidentified men entered and started assaulting him.
The woman tried to stop the men from beating her friend, but they did not listen and continued to abuse and assault him, eventually leaving after threatening to kill him. Videos of the incident show the victim being made to sit in front of a house with a dog leash tied to his neck while the accused questioned him. The man, who hails from Karnal in Haryana, had been working in Haridwar and would often visit the woman and her family.
The woman’s sister described the incident, stating that the group of people knocked on the door, and when her sister opened it, they barged in and started beating the man up. Despite his injuries, the men continued to abuse and assault him, eventually tying a dog collar around his neck and parading him outside. The sister expressed outrage at the incident, questioning how anyone could enter someone’s home and assault a person.
The FIR has been registered against unknown persons under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, house trespass, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The complainant stated that the victim was subjected to humiliation for three hours before the police arrived and called an ambulance. She also claimed that the mob snatched the victim’s phone, along with other belongings.
The police have stated that no arrests have been made in the case, but an investigation is underway. The Circle Officer, City, Shishupal Singh Negi, said that a case has been registered, and they are collecting footage to identify the accused and take further action.
