Insaaf Times Desk
A shocking case of mob lynching has rocked Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district, where a Dalit man was beaten to death by villagers who mistook him for a thief. The incident took place in Ishwardaspur village under the Unchahar police station area.
The victim, 38-year-old Hariom, had reportedly gone to meet his wife, who works as a sweeper at a local bank. Police said he lost his way and accidentally entered the village, where locals stopped him and began questioning him. When he failed to respond properly due to panic, the mob started beating him mercilessly.
A viral video of the incident shows Hariom pinned to the ground, with one man pressing his foot on the victim’s face while others thrash him brutally with sticks and belts.
Severely injured and half-conscious, Hariom could be heard uttering “Rahul Gandhi” as he struggled for his life. During the assault, some of the attackers shouted, “Yeh Baba ka raj hai” (This is Baba’s rule) — allegedly referring to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is often called “Bulldozer Baba.” Hariom was later found dead near a railway track.
The Rae Bareli police have arrested five accused in connection with the lynching. Superintendent of Police Dinesh Tripathi confirmed that efforts are underway to identify others involved in the crime.
For negligence, the Unchahar Station House Officer (SHO) has been removed from duty, and three policemen have been suspended. A case has been registered under sections of murder and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Congress Party has termed the incident a “complete collapse of law and order” in Uttar Pradesh and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned the killing, saying “Atrocities on Dalits and the poor have become normal in Uttar Pradesh. This government is encouraging mob terror.”
Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences to Hariom’s family and said the Congress stands firmly with them
Locals told police that rumours about “drone thefts” had been circulating in the area in recent weeks. Police believe these rumours created fear among villagers, leading them to wrongly suspect Hariom of being a thief.
Social activists have described the lynching as a dangerous mix of rumour-mongering, mob mentality, and caste prejudice.
Hariom’s wife said her husband was innocent and lost his life only because he had lost his way. The family has demanded justice, death penalty for the culprits, and government compensation.
The Congress Party has urged the state government to provide ₹1 crore in compensation and a government job to a member of the victim’s family.
The Rae Bareli lynching once again raises a disturbing question: Are Dalits and marginalized communities safe in Uttar Pradesh?
Between mob violence, political rhetoric, and administrative negligence, Hariom’s death is not just another murder — it is a mirror to society’s collective failure.
