Karnataka: Man Attacked Over Suspicion of Child-lifting; Cops Rescue Him

The man had stopped a bus to check on his kids who stayed with his estranged wife.

Mandya, July 18: A man was beaten up by a mob on suspicion of child lifting after he stopped a school bus, even though he was only looking for his own kids, said media reports on Wednesday. The incident took place when the victim, Mahesh Babu, stopped the bus to ask if his children were inside, reported a news portal. (Also read: Rumours on WhatsApp Lead to Lynching in Bidar)

Assuming that he was a child-lifter, the villagers started assaulting him. However, police arrived just in time to rescue Babu. Babu was only checking on his kids as he had recently separated from his wife and their children stayed with her.

The incident comes close on the heels of the lynching of an IT professional near Bidar. A social media video that identified Hyderabad techie Mohammad Azam Usmansab as a child-lifter, had led to his lynching.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that it was the duty of the states to strive and promote fraternity among all citizens.

Meanwhile, the Central government said today that it was the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order. “Responsibility to maintain law and order and protect life and property rests with state governments. The state governments are competent to deal with such offences under the provisions of law. MHA issues advisory to states from time to time,” Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir told PTI. The minister said that the Centre does not maintain data with respect to lynching incidents in the country.