A 22-year-old man, accused of rape, was allegedly tied to a bullock cart, beaten, and paraded naked by a mob in Visheshwarganj, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on April 3, 2025.

The incident came to light after a disturbing video surfaced on social media on Thursday, prompting police action on Friday, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Pandey.

The viral video shows the man, stripped from the waist down, bound to a bullock cart while locals, including men and women, heckle and assault him. Some voices in the footage incite a dog to attack, while others urge further beating, with one cautioning, “Let it go, what if he dies?” The victim’s family, alerted by the video, filed a complaint, alleging their brother-in-law was brutally attacked near Majhwa Bankat village. An FIR was registered against unidentified individuals under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for assault and causing harm, Pandey confirmed.

Also Read: #JUSTIN: 22 Naxalites, Including 12 With ₹40.5L Bounty, Surrender

The man was charged in a rape case filed by a woman from a different community in early April but had been absconding, said Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha. The assault, unreported until the video emerged, has led to a separate investigation alongside the rape case. Visheshwarganj SHO Gyan Singh emphasized no communal tension has surfaced, though police have been deployed as a precaution.

The incident, condemned on social media for its mob vigilantism, highlights recurring issues of extrajudicial punishment in India. Posts on X criticized the lack of due process, with some noting the risk of escalating communal divides. Authorities are under pressure to identify the perpetrators and ensure justice in both cases while maintaining village harmony.

Also Read: UP Tragedy! 11-Year-Old Commits Suicide for Being Scolded