Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 14: A man believed to be from Kerala was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district after being suspected of theft, prompting the arrest of five individuals and the detention of two minors, police said on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the Kultali area on June 9, but police initiated action only after videos related to the assault surfaced on social media several days later.
According to investigators, the victim had travelled from Kerala and was staying at the residence of an acquaintance in the Sankijahan area for work-related purposes. On the morning of June 9, he reportedly left for a nearby market but mistakenly entered another locality as he was unfamiliar with the area. Sources said he was unable to communicate in Bengali, which further raised suspicion among some residents.
Locals reportedly stopped the man and questioned him about his identity. As rumours spread that he could be a thief, tensions escalated. The man was allegedly tied with a rope and brutally assaulted by a group of people.
Police personnel from Kultali police station later reached the spot after receiving information about a seriously injured man lying on the roadside. He was rushed to Jaynagar-Kultali Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination.
At the time, officers were unaware that the victim had been attacked by villagers. However, after a video showing the man being restrained and assaulted circulated online, investigators connected the footage to the deceased and launched a formal probe.
An FIR was registered on Saturday, leading to the detention of eight individuals. Following questioning, five people were arrested, two minors were taken into custody under juvenile procedures, and one person was released. The accused are expected to be produced before a court later in the day.
Police said the investigation is continuing and that all aspects of the case are being examined. The identity of the deceased has not yet been officially established.
Further details are awaited.