BHOPAL: Two youths were allegedly tied to a pole, beaten and given electric shocks by a group of villagers on suspicion of theft in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) taking cognisance of the incident after a video of the alleged assault surfaced on social media.
According to police, the incident took place on July 4 in Karmodiya village under the Raisen Kotwali police station limits. The two youths were suspected of stealing irrigation pump motors and were allegedly taken to a farm, where they were assaulted by villagers.
Police alleged that the youths were tied to a pole, beaten and subjected to electric shocks using a device installed around farms to deter wild animals. The alleged assault was reportedly intended to force them to confess and disclose the names of others allegedly involved in the suspected theft.
The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing the assault went viral on social media on Saturday, drawing widespread attention. The NHRC said it had taken cognisance of the matter and issued necessary directions.
Police said the two youths had been detained in connection with a theft case and that suspected stolen irrigation pump motors were recovered during the investigation. However, allegations of torture surfaced only after the video emerged online.
A separate criminal case has been registered against those allegedly involved in the assault. Police said two suspects have been arrested under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, while efforts are underway to identify and apprehend others seen in the viral video. The investigation is ongoing, and police said further action will be taken based on the evidence collected.
