Bhopal: Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested eight men after a video showing the brutal mob assault of a 20-year-old Muslim student over allegations of a relationship with a Hindu girl went viral on social media, exposing an incident that had remained unreported for more than a month.
The victim, Sohail Khan, an electrician trade student at Seoni ITI, was allegedly abducted on June 7 from a tea shop at Chunabhatti Chowk by Asmit Mana Thakur and his associates while he was with two friends. According to the police, the accused took him to a deserted field where more people joined the assault.
Investigators said Sohail was questioned about allegedly speaking to the girl, and despite denying any recent contact, he was beaten for nearly two hours with sticks, iron pipes and electrical wires. The attackers also allegedly rubbed a mixture containing chilli and salt into his bleeding wounds, causing severe pain.
The mob later forced him to the college campus, where the girl was brought and made to apologise before him. The accused allegedly threatened him at knifepoint, warning that he would be implicated in a false sexual assault case if he reported the incident.
Fearing for his life, Sohail informed only his family and did not approach the police. The case came to light only after videos showing him being stripped to his underwear, assaulted and subjected to further humiliation surfaced online on Tuesday, prompting a police investigation.
The girl has meanwhile alleged that Sohail had misbehaved with her at college and pressured her to convert to Islam. Police have not disclosed whether evidence has been found to substantiate either side's allegations, and a detailed investigation is underway.