UP man jumps from bridge to escape mob lynching, dies; Horrific video surfaces

New Delhi: A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, when a young man, terrified by a mob accusing him of being a child thief, jumped to his death from an overbridge. The victim, identified as Avinash Kumar, a resident of Samastipur district in Bihar, was one of two individuals chased by villagers after being mistaken for kidnappers.

Youth takes desperate measure

The horrifying events took place near Nevada village, in the Line Bazaar police station area. According to eyewitness accounts, Avinash and his friend were seen wandering in the village, which raised suspicions among the locals. Fearing that the two were involved in child theft, the villagers chased them down. While Avinash’s companion was caught and handed over to the police, Avinash, in a desperate attempt to escape the angry mob, climbed a nearby overbridge. 

For seven hours, he refused to come down, paralyzed by fear that the mob would beat him to death if he descended. Despite continuous attempts by the police, fire brigade, and other rescue teams to calm him and coax him down, Avinash remained steadfast, consumed by terror.

Watch the video here:

उत्तर प्रदेश के जिला जौनपुर में मॉब लिंचिंग से बचने के लिए अवनीश कुमार ब्रिज पर चढ़ गया और कूदकर जान दे दी।

गांववालों ने उसे बच्चा चोर कहकर दौड़ा दिया था। भीड़ से बचने को वो एक ओवरब्रिज पर चढ़ गया। 8 घंटे तक ऊपर ही चढ़ा रहा। पुलिस जैसे ही ऊपर चढ़ी, वो नीचे कूद गया। pic.twitter.com/WckidEWoyE

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) September 10, 2024

Desperate jump ends in tragedy

As the police and emergency services laid out nets and safety measures below the overbridge, the situation took a tragic turn. Avinash, overwhelmed with fear and hopelessness, suddenly jumped from the bridge. The rescue teams rushed him to the district hospital, but sadly, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Response from authorities

The police were able to identify the young man as Avinash Kumar, son of Yogeshwar Mahato, from an Aadhaar card found in his possession. His family in Bihar was immediately informed of the heartbreaking incident. CO City Devesh Kumar Singh provided a statement, recounting the police's attempts to prevent the tragedy. He acknowledged that despite their best efforts, the young man’s fear of the mob ultimately led him to take the fatal plunge.