Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi

Ranchi, Feb 17: A 45-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Jharkhand’s Chatra district after being accused of being a child-lifter, police said on Monday.

The victim, identified as Rambali Rajwar, a resident of Barwatoli under Ramgarh police station limits in Ramgarh district, was assaulted on Sunday night in Chiraiyatand and Kichto villages. He succumbed to severe injuries while undergoing treatment at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi on Monday.

Family members said Rajwar was mentally challenged and usually stayed at home. A day before the incident, he reportedly left without informing anyone and reached Chiraiyatand, where locals allegedly mistook him for a child-lifter and attacked him.

The incident came to light after a video purportedly showing the assault went viral on social media. In the footage, the victim was seen being beaten by a group of people.

Police from Piparwar station rescued him and initially admitted him to Bachra Regional Hospital before referring him to RIMS for advanced treatment.

Officer-in-charge of Piparwar police station, Abhay Kumar, termed the incident a clear case of mob lynching and said legal action would be initiated against those involved.

“The victim died during treatment at RIMS in Ranchi on Monday. It is a clear case of mob lynching and the police have initiated a thorough probe. Efforts have been intensified to identify those involved,” he said.

He added that an FIR would be lodged and further clarity would emerge after the autopsy report is received. No arrests have been made so far.