Mumbai: Woman brutally attacked by mob in Malwani after suspicion turns violent

A 31yearold MBAeducated woman was brutally assaulted by an angry mob in Malwani after being mistakenly suspected of being a child kidnapper in a shocking incident on Thursday eveningThe incident occurred in the Malwani Church locality when the woman a resident of Charkop who works with a private company had gone to meet a close friend to extend New Year greetings However she was left confused when her friendrsquos mobile phone was switched off and the house she was trying to locate was found lockedSuspicion turns violentWhile searching for directions the woman inadvertently entered a nearby slum pocket where her presence immediately aroused suspicion among locals Within minutes a rumour spread that she was a ldquochild lifterrdquo triggering panic and outrageBefore she could explain herself residents allegedly caught hold of her and began assaulting her Despite repeatedly pleading with the crowd and urging them to call the police her cries went unheard as the mob grew larger and more aggressivelsquoThey dragged me onto the road and beat mersquoRecounting the horrifying ordeal to MidDay the traumatised woman said she was attacked by both men and womenldquoI was trying to explain everything A woman and a man were extremely aggressive The man called more people and the woman punched me in the face When I tried to leave an auto driver held me tightly and grabbed me in a very indecent manner They kept beating me No one was ready to listen They even snatched my belongingsrdquo she saidShe further alleged that the same woman continued to behave aggressively even inside the police station and openly threatened her in front of police personnelPolice versionPolice sources said the victim a divorced woman had earlier visited the same friend during Christmas On Thursday she returned to extend New Year wishes but found the house locked and the phone unreachable While she was looking around a local woman allegedly misunderstood her presence abused her gathered people and punched her in the face triggering the mob attackldquoShe was later taken to the police station and then sent to hospital for medical treatment Subsequently her complaint was registeredrdquo a police source saidlsquoThey almost killed my daughterrsquoAfter police rescued her and rushed her to hospital the victimrsquos mother expressed anguish over the incidentldquoHow can anyone justify beating a person merely on suspicion If you suspect something listen first or call the police Taking the law into your own hands like this can kill someone They almost killed my daughter She has wounds all over her body and her life is in dangerrdquo she told MidDay urging strict action against the attackersThe victim also alleged that one of the women involved in the assault was let off before her mother arrived at the police station despite her critical conditionPolice appeal against rumoursSenior Inspector Shailendra Nagarkar of Malwani police confirmed that a cognisable offence has been registered against unknown persons and that investigations are underwayldquoI strongly appeal to the public not to take the law into their own hands If there is any suspicion of child abduction immediately inform the police Do not believe or spread rumours circulating on social mediardquo he said