UP: Man Lynched In Aligarh Over Theft Suspicion, Tension Grips Area

Mohammed Farid, also known as Aurangzeb, was assaulted on Tuesday night while returning home from work, according to Superintendent of Police City  Shekhar Pathak.

A 35-year-old man was attacked by a mob on suspicion of theft, prompting heightened tension in Aligarh's Mamu Bhanja locality, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday. Police have arrested six persons and are searching for one more named in the FIR. 

Mohammed Farid, also known as Aurangzeb, was assaulted on Tuesday night while returning home from work, according to Superintendent of Police City  Shekhar Pathak. "The incident occurred when some residents suspected him of theft and allegedly thrashed him," Pathak was quoted as saying by PTI.

According to the report, Farid was found severely injured upon police's arrival and was rushed to Malkhan Singh Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Tensions Grip The Area

Following the incident, family members, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party leaders staged a sit-in, demanding the immediate arrest of the remaining accused, Indian Express reported. Bajrang Dal leaders have also threatened protests if those responsible are not swiftly apprehended. 

The Mamu Bhanja locality and Railway Bazar witnessed tensions today, leading shopkeepers to shut down in protest, as per PTI report. Police presence has been bolstered in sensitive areas to maintain peace, amid fears of escalating communal discord, the report said. 

BJP leaders, including MLA Muktar Varshney, held a dharna near Railway Road, demanding a fair investigation ensuring no innocent person is wrongly involved, the PTI report said. 

Videos Of Incident Surface On Social Media 

Videos circulating on social media show Farid being beaten with lathis and dragged across the road by the mob. One footage shows a police officer carrying the injured victim on his shoulders. 

According to the PTI report, police have taken action based on CCTV footage and registered cases against seven identified individuals, with six already in custody. Additional unidentified persons have also been implicated, with further probe underway.