Mob in UP torches Muslim man's home over kidnapping charge; police also assaulted

NEW DELHI: A group of villagers on Friday night allegdly vandalised and set ablaze the house of a Muslim man named Saddam In the village of Chandupura Shivnagar, situated in the Sirauli area of Bareilly. The mob accused Saddam of abducting a 20-year-old woman from their community, PTI reported quoting police officials. When the police arrived at the scene after being informed about the incident, the angry locals allegedly attacked them as well, as per the report.

Bareilly senior superintendent of Police Anurag Arya said that on July 29, the woman, who is the daughter of Maiku Lal, and Saddam were reported missing. They were later found by the police on August 1.

Arya further explained that the woman was handed over to her family at the request of her father and the villagers. "Maiku Lal had submitted a written statement saying that he did not want to lodge any complaint against Saddam." The woman was then handed over to her family with her consent, while Saddam was detained for questioning.

Despite this, miscreants allegedly broke into Saddam's house around 11 pm on Friday night, vandalising it and setting it on fire. They also attacked the police team that arrived at the scene after being informed about the incident. As a result, cross FIRs have been filed by both sides in the case.

The police have suspended the SHO of Sirauli police station and two other policemen on Saturday for alleged negligence.

"SHO Luv Sirohi, Sub-inspector Satyaveer Singh, and a constable were suspended on Saturday morning for their negligence in handling the matter and failing to register an FIR," the SSP told news agency PTI.