False Theft Rumour Sparks Shocking Vigilante Attack; Victim Dragged, Assaulted Despite Pleading Innocence
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh |
A horrifying incident of mob violence has surfaced from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, where a young working woman was brutally assaulted after being wrongly accused of theft. The woman, currently employed in Noida, had travelled to Bareilly in search of employment opportunities when she was attacked and humiliated by a group of individuals.
Mistaken Identity Leads to Assault
The incident occurred on Friday night in the Baradari locality under the Quila police station limits. As per police reports, the woman was on the rooftop talking on her mobile phone when a rumour spread in the area that a thief was escaping across rooftops. The crowd, acting on this unverified information, mistook the woman for the alleged intruder.
In a shocking turn of events, the woman—reportedly frightened—descended from the rooftop only to be seized by a mob. Bystander video footage that later went viral shows her being dragged by the hair, physically assaulted, and subjected to public humiliation, even as she pleaded, “I am not a thief, please call the police first.” Her requests were ignored by the crowd.
Police Action and Arrests
After the video gained attention on social media, the Bareilly police acted swiftly. According to Bareilly City SP Manush Pareek, four individuals were arrested in connection with the assault:
- Gaurav Saxena (18)
- Shivam Saxena (22)
- Aman Saxena (24) — all sons of Rajesh Saxena
- Arun Saini (19), son of Anil Saini
All four are being processed for judicial custody. Police are using video footage and CCTV to identify additional individuals involved and are conducting search operations to apprehend them.
Victim Lured to Bareilly with Job Offer
Initial findings suggest that the woman had been invited to Bareilly by two men—Resham Singh and Vinay Gangwar—who had promised to help her find better employment. The assault occurred while she was speaking on the phone at night on the rooftop of the residence she was visiting.
Medical Attention and Legal Action
The police transported the woman to the district hospital where she is undergoing treatment for injuries. An FIR has been registered under serious legal sections related to assault, wrongful restraint, and unlawful assembly. Authorities have assured that all responsible individuals will be identified and prosecuted under the law.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on official police statements and credible media reports. The matter remains under active investigation. INA News does not independently verify allegations or claims made by involved parties. We report this incident solely in the public interest and do not assume legal responsibility for ongoing proceedings.