3 held for mob assault over child-lifting rumour in Dhanbad

Dhanbad: Three persons were arrested and sent to judicial custody on Tuesday for assaulting two men suspecting them of being child-lifters under Rajganj police station area in Dhanbad.

The victims — Dablu Mahto and Deepak Mahto — came to the locality on Monday to visit a relative. During their visit, a few locals allegedly suspected them of being child-lifters.


Within minutes, the rumour spread rapidly, drawing a large crowd. Without verifying the facts, the mob surrounded the two men and beat them mercilessly. Despite pleading innocence and revealing their identities, the victims’ appeals fell on deaf ears as the mob frenzy escalated.

On receiving information, Rajganj police reached the spot, dispersed the crowd, and rescued the injured men. Both victims, who sustained serious injuries, were immediately admitted to a hospital.

Based on the victims’ complaint, an FIR was registered at Rajganj police station, and an investigation was launched. During the probe, three individuals —Vinay Mishti, Akash Turi, and Sonu Turi — were identified as active participants in the assault. All three were formally arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar termed the incident “extremely serious”, noting a disturbing rise in attacks triggered by child-lifting rumours. He stressed that mob violence against innocent persons is both inhuman and a grave criminal offence.

The SSP added that awareness campaigns are being conducted to caution citizens against rumours and vigilantism. He urged people to inform police via Dial 112 if any suspicious activity is noticed, emphasising that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the authorities, not the public.