Kataka: A shocking incident of vigilantism has surfaced from Chauliaganj area in Odisha’s Kataka, where a 17-year-old boy was allegedly stripped, brutally beaten, and paraded naked on the streets over suspicion of theft.
The incident, reminiscent of a lawless “kangaroo court”, sparked widespread public outrage after a video capturing the barbaric act went viral on social media.
According to the victim’s family and the complaint lodged with the police, a group of local youths caught the minor boy, accusing him of stealing a battery. Instead of informing police, the mob took the law into their own hands. The minor was subjected to severe physical abuse, beaten repeatedly with wooden sticks, stripped naked, and forced to walk down the street while some individuals filmed the entire ordeal on their mobile phones. Another young man present at the scene was also reportedly targeted and beaten severely with a wooden plank by the perpetrators.
Taking immediate note of the viral video and a subsequent complaint, the Kataka police launched a swift investigation and arrested a key suspect. “The mother of the victim has lodged a complained and accordingly a case has been registered and investigation is underway,” ACP, Zone 5, Sudhanshu Jena told reporters.
Kataka DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo also assured strict legal action against all individuals involved in the physical assault, those who filmed the incident, and anyone responsible for circulating the video online. “Citizens must not take the law into their own hands under any circumstance. If a theft or any crime occurs, the public should immediately inform the police or call a PCR van to hand over the suspect,” he added.
