New Delhi: Police in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, have taken swift action following the circulation of a viral video purportedly showing a group of Holi celebrants harassing a man and two women. One individual has been arrested, and three minors have been detained in connection with the incident, police said.
The video captures a scene where a man and two women on a motorcycle are surrounded by a group of youngsters. The revellers can be seen spraying water on the women from a pipe, despite their protests. The situation escalates as buckets are seen to be used to pour water on the women, and the revellers forcefully apply colour on the man and one of the women's faces.
Amid the chaos, a voice in the video justifies the behaviour, citing it as a "70-year-old tradition." Eventually, the ordeal comes to an end, and the group allows the trio to leave, chanting religious slogans as they speed away.
In response to the viral video, Bijnor Superintendent of Police (SSP), Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, directed local police to take action promptly.
According to reports, the incident took place on Wednesday in the Dhampur area of the city.
A case has been filed against the perpetrators under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to wrongful restraint, causing hurt, and assaulting a woman. One person has been arrested, while three juveniles have been detained in connection with the incident, police said.
“The Bijnor Police has taken cognisance of a video that is going viral on the social media. In this viral clip, a few men can be seen harassing and forcefully applying colours on a family that was going on a motorcycle. The Bijnor Police is identifying these people with the help of CCTV footage. Circle Officer (CO) Dhampur has been asked to personally reach out to the family and file an FIR after receiving a complaint from them and ensure proper investigation,” SSP Jadaun said in a video on X.