Mob beats 22-year-old youth to death in UP after 15-km chase

In a shocking incident that unfolded in the Junawai police station area of Sambhal on Tuesday, a 22-year-old youth was beaten to death by a mob.

The victim, Durgesh alias Yogesh, was attacked by a group of 20-22 men who chased him for nearly 15 kilometers before killing him with an iron rod. The assault took place barely 400 meters away from his village after police allegedly abandoned the victim despite pleas for help.

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Yogesh, a resident of Nagla Ajmeri village, had gone to the Babrala town in the Gunnaur tehsil along with his brother Bhuvnesh and 10-12 laborers to lay a lintel at a construction site. A dispute broke out with the shuttering workers over a financial transaction, during which the tractor keys were taken. Though the homeowner intervened and resolved the matter, tension remained.

On their way back home in a tractor trolley, the group was followed by 20-22 men believed to be involved in the earlier dispute. Fearing for their safety, Yogesh and his companions contacted police emergency services. Two constables responded and met them outside the Babrala police station.

According to Yogesh’s brother and friend, the policemen allegedly demanded money to escort them to Junawai. They claim to have paid Rs 500 online to a person named Vidyasagar, after which the police escorted them only up to Jagannathpur. When asked to continue to Junawai, the officers reportedly demanded another Rs 500. After receiving the second payment, they dropped the group 400 meters before their destination and left.

Immediately after the police left, the attackers, who had been trailing the group, caught up and launched a violent assault. Yogesh was dragged down from the tractor and beaten with an iron rod. His brother and others, who too were assaulted with sticks, fled the spot to save their lives. When they returned, they found Yogesh seriously injured and rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

The news of Yogesh’s death devastated his family. His 55-year-old grandmother, Anar Devi, who fainted upon hearing the news, was to be taken to the district hospital but passed away soon after. The family is now mourning the loss of both Yogesh and his grandmother.

Yogesh is survived by his wife Sarvesh and four young children, Kuldeep, Nitesh, Anuj, and Santosh, who are reportedly in deep distress.

ASP (North) Rajesh Kumar Srivastava confirmed that the case is under investigation and a probe has been handed over to the Circle Officer to look into allegation of police taking money to provide security.

Inspector Umesh Singh Solanki stated that a murder case has been filed against seven identified individuals, Srinivas, Subhash, Vinod, Guddu, Rajesh, Santosh, and Jaipal, all residents of Rasulpur Dhay (Gunnaur police station area), along with 20 unidentified attackers. Raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused.