Child theft rumours trigger mob fury in five districts

Patna: Mob assaulted four persons in five districts over the past 24 hours on suspicion of child theft. The incidents were reported from Patna, Muzaffarpur, Sheikhpura, Nawada and Katihar districts. In all cases, the victims were rescued safely by the police.

In a separate incident, two women were held captive by a mob in Muzaffarpur district on Friday after being accused of child theft. The women were reportedly distributing religious pamphlets when a rumour spread, triggering panic in the area. Police intervened promptly, rescued the women and took them to safety.


The incident occurred at Sonbarsa Bazaar under Maniyari police station limits, where the women were mistakenly identified as child lifters. A large crowd gathered and threatened to assault them before local residents alerted the police.

Maniyari SHO Jaiprakash Gupta said, “The police took the women into protective custody and are investigating the incident.”

In Patna district, a man was assaulted near Umanath Temple in Barh police station area after he was seen holding a child’s hand. When questioned, he claimed he was taking the child to his father and had offered chocolates. The situation escalated with hundreds gathering and attacking him. When police arrived, the mob also targeted their vehicle.

Barh SHO Brajkishor Singh said, “The accused, identified as Bambhole from Bahapar area of Bakhtiarpur, is in police custody. His background is being verified.”

In Sheikhpura, a 20-year-old woman was beaten by a mob in Kamasi village under Town police station area after she was seen carrying a one-and-a-half-year-old girl. The child’s mother raised an alarm, prompting locals to gather and assault the woman. Police reached the spot and rescued her.

In Nawada district, a woman was similarly assaulted in Baghi Bardih village under Warsaliganj police station on Thursday on suspicion of child theft.

In Katihar district, an elderly woman was beaten by a mob in Haflaganj under Mufassil police station areas late Thursday night. She was allegedly seen wandering in the area, which sparked suspicion. Despite her pleas of innocence, she was assaulted.