‘Moral policing’: Mob assaults couple, records video; 6 booked

The couple are adults and had not visited any objectionable place. A mob thrashed them. Investigation is on. BHARPOOR SINGH, SHO, Sunam City police station

In an alleged case of moral policing at Sunam’s Indira Basti, six people, including a woman, thrashed a young student couple after barging into a house, accusing them of indulging in ‘immorality’. The incident took place in the house of the acquaintance of the boy, Subhash, 21, on Thursday.

The victim claimed that there was no provocation for the assault, and some residents of the locality had first taunted them when they had ventured out of the house.

“Our host had gone out to get snacks for us. Suddenly, some residents of the area entered the house and started thrashing us,” Subhash claimed.

He added that the mob even made a video of the incident and posted it on the social media. This video has gone viral.

The accused have been identified as Kaka, Sohana, Neetu, Happy and Safia; one of them is still untraceable.

Subhash and his 20-year-old woman friend were rushed to the Sunam civil hospital, where their statements were recorded and a case was registered on Friday.

“I have filed a complaint and the police have registered a case against them. We want justice and punishment for the mob,” Subhash added. The woman’s father, who did not want to be identified, said, “The accused should be arrested as soon as possible”.

The accused have been booked under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354-b (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence) at the Sunam City police station.

“Initial investigation shows that the couple were adults and had not visited any objectionable place. A mob thrashed them, while shooting a video. Investigation is on,” said City station house officer Bharpoor Singh.