Hardoi- A shocking video of a Dalit domestic help being tied to a chair and brutally assaulted over suspicion of theft has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage. The incident occurred on the evening of September 30 in Nexra Colony under Kotwali Dehat police station limits in Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, the victim, a resident of Umranpur Baura village under Behata Gokul police station, had been working as a domestic help for about two-and-a-half months at the house of Akanksha (wife of Akash/Ashish) in Nexra Colony.

On September 30, family members allegedly accused her of stealing jewellery. Instead of handing her over to the police, they reportedly held her captive inside the house, tied her to a chair, and assaulted her with slippers and sticks while subjecting her to verbal abuse. In the viral video, a woman is seen pressing a stick against the victim's neck in an apparent attempt to choke her while trying to force a confession.

The victim has denied the theft allegation. She told police that she had merely picked up the jewellery lying openly in the house to keep it safe. Despite this, the family members allegedly assaulted her.

Following the circulation of the video on social media on October 1, Hardoi Police took suo motu cognizance. Based on the victim’s written complaint, an FIR has been registered against five members of the household, Akanksha, Ashish, Deepika, Soni and Vani, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Circle Officer (City) Ajit Singh Chauhan confirmed that the case was registered promptly after the video surfaced. “Police teams are conducting raids to arrest the accused. The victim’s medical examination is underway. The investigation is based on the video evidence, the victim’s statement and other material,” he said.

As of the latest updates, police teams continue to raid possible hideouts of the accused. The case remains under active investigation.

The incident has drawn strong condemnation online and offline, with many calling for swift and exemplary action against those involved in the alleged atrocity.