Bhopal – Incidents of caste-based violence against Dalits in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh continue to surface. The latest incident involves a Dalit youth in Chhatarpur district who was abducted and brutally beaten. The assault, which occurred on June 21, was captured on video and later went viral.

The video reveals four men holding and beating the victim. They brandished a gun, stripped him, and burned him with cigarettes. The youth, who was returning home on foot after closing his restaurant, was kidnapped at gunpoint by three to four assailants. They took him to a secluded area and tortured him for about an hour, leaving him severely injured and bleeding.

The incident took place near Sarani Darwaza in Chhatarpur city at around 8 PM on Tuesday, near Fula Devi Marg. The video surfaced on Wednesday, showing four men assaulting the victim, stripping him, and burning him with cigarettes. The attackers were also seen kicking and beating him with belts.

The attackers took turns beating the youth with belts and threatened him to not report the incident to the police. One of the attackers stripped the youth partially and continued to assault him with belts and fists.

The attackers were armed with illegal weapons and struck the youth with the butt of a gun, causing deep head injuries and leaving him bloodied.

After the assault, the attackers fled, leaving the youth to seek help on his own. He managed to call an ambulance and reach the hospital, where he narrated the incident to the doctors.

The police, upon receiving information, arrived at the hospital and registered a case against the assailants. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the district hospital.

The viral video of the assault caused an uproar on social media, prompting swift action from the police. Initially, two suspects were arrested, followed by the apprehension of a third fugitive.

Chhatarpur police quickly formed a joint team to identify and arrest the accused, identified as Deva, Lucky, and Annu, along with a minor. The police have registered cases under sections of attempted murder, robbery, abduction, the IT Act, and the SC-ST Act.

Kotwali Police Station In-Charge Arvind Kujur told The Mooknayak, "We have arrested all three accused. They intended to instill fear in the area, which motivated this incident. The accused, identified as Annu alias Aniruddh Ghosi, Deva alias Devendra Singh, and a 17-year-old minor, have been apprehended."

Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Agam Jain stated,"Based on the complainant's statement and the viral video, we have registered the case. All accused have been arrested, and the police are taking strict measures to ensure justice is served."

The officer further informed that the accused have a history of criminal behavior, with prior cases of assault and intimidation. Except for the minor, the other two have charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, and assault. The police have arrested the accused and further action is being taken.