Mob justice for murder accused

A lynch mob snatched a murder accused from police custody and attempted to deliver instant justice as five armed policemen...

A lynch mob snatched a murder accused from police custody and attempted to deliver instant justice as five armed policemen watched helplessly in Hajipur town on Saturday morning. Victim Ravi Kumar is struggling for life in a Patna hospital.

A mob of around 80 people stormed the Sadar hospital at Hajipur, dragged out the 25-year-old accused and started beating him up. The mob wanted to avenge the death of Om Prakash, 24, who had died on his way to hospital after being injured in a fight with Ravi.

Vaishali SP Paras Nath termed the incident unfortunate and said he was recommending dismissal of the policemen deputed for security of the accused. “We are also procuring video footage to identify the people who tried to deliver instant justice. They, too, will face action,” he added. A hospital employee said a group of five men first entered the emergency ward and pulled out Ravi. “The five policemen made no attempt to resist them,” he added.

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The mob gave up when additional forces reached the spot and rushed the accused to Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Five months ago, 10 suspected thieves were lynched at Rajapakar village in the same district, some 20 km from Hajipur. A dozen villagers of Rajapakar faced legal action after a CID probe nailed them.