New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a man was assaulted and tied to the bonnet of a car before being paraded through a market in Gujarats Panchmahal district. The incident occurred in Kanku Thambla village of Godhra taluka on August 29 after the man was accused of stealing from a local shop.According to Deputy Superintendent of Police NY Patel, the victim, identified as 30-year-old Surjan Bhavri, was allegedly caught attempting to steal fertilizer from a shop. The situation escalated when bystanders filmed the victim being tied to the hood of a car with a rope and driven through the market, with the videos later circulating widely on social media.FIR filed against both the victim and the accusedUpon learning about the incident through the viral videos, the Godhra Taluka police swiftly registered a case against Surjan Bhavri for attempted theft. Additionally, an FIR was lodged against the two accused, identified as Ganpatsinh Parmar and Manubhai Charan, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include wrongful confinement, assault, and causing insult, as per another officials statement.A man was assaulted and driven around after being tied on the bonnet of a car in #Gujarats #Panchmahal district allegedly by two persons who accused him of stealing from a shop.The incident took place in Kanku Thambla village in #Godhra taluka on August 29 after the victim was… pic.twitter.com/jfBpslJqG2— Hate Detector ๐ (@HateDetectors) September 1, 2024Victims defenceIn his defence, Bhavri claimed that he had taken three packets of seeds worth Rs 30 but had inadvertently forgotten to pay for them. He also stated that the shopkeeper believed he had paid Rs 500 and returned Rs 470 in change. However, after the misunderstanding, the two accused allegedly chased him down, accused him of theft, and subsequently assaulted him.Police officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to clarify the claims and counterclaims made by both parties involved.Public outrage over vigilante justiceThis incident has sparked widespread condemnation, raising concerns about vigilante justice and the growing trend of public shaming through social media in rural India. The videos have ignited a debate on the need for proper legal proceedings and restraint instead of resorting to such extreme actions.
