Mumbai: Suspected of theft, man beaten up, killed

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The Navghar police on Saturday arrested four persons for allegedly assaulting and killing a man after suspecting him to be a thief. The incident took place early on Saturday at Indra Nagar, Bhayander east.

According to the police, the victim was walking by when four locals stopped him and began questioning him. When they did not get satisfactory answers, they allegedly beat him with belts and bamboos. The police said he was beaten so badly that he died on the spot.

The Navghar police later received information about a body lying near SN College. After conducting the panchnama they sent the body for an autopsy in the civil hospital. Several deep and serious injuries were seen on the head, neck, back and all over the body.

The Navghar police registered a murder case against unknown accused and during their investigation they caught the four accused who confessed to the crime. The police did not reveal their names but said they are locals and don't have jobs.

During the interrogation the accused revealed that they thought the person was a thief and assaulted him, because some time before they had caught another person who allegedly stole a mobile phone from a pedestrian. They claimed to have beaten him, taken the phone from him and let him off.

The deceased has been identified as Surajbhan Prakash Soni who stayed at Goregaon west. The police said the four claimed when they were beating him up, he said he was not alone there were others with him.

"We have called his relatives for further inquiry to know more about him. Investigations so far have not revealed that the deceased was a thief. No one should take the law in their hand. If someone has a doubt, then they should lodge a complaint with the police," said Amit Kale, DCP Zone 1, Mira-Bhayander.