Hajipur, February 23
In yet another instance of vigilante justice, a youth — who was in police custody for allegedly murdering his friend over a petty dispute — was beaten up by a mob at a government hospital here today.

Ravi Kumar, a college student who fatally stabbed his roommate Om Prakash for using a cellphone this morning, was taken away by a violent crowd from the policemen who were escorting him.

The youth, who was in handcuffs, was dragged outside the hospital, kicked and hit with bricks, official sources said.

TV footage showed him writhing in pain as policemen with batons in their hands and rifles slung on their shoulders watched helplessly.

Ravi was injured in the fight with his roommate, who had died on way to the Patna Medical College and Hospital, the sources said. He was arrested and taken to Hajipur Sadar Hospital.

As the news of Om Prakash’s death spread, scores of people gathered at the hospital, seized the youth from the police and thrashed him.

Hajipur is in Vaishali district, where 10 suspected thieves belonging to a nomadic community were bludgeoned to death at Dehelpurwa village on September 13 last year.

A suspected thief was beaten to death at Sahdullahpur village in Vaishali on February 15 this year.

Two vehicle thieves were lynched by a mob at Haripur Kalan village in Araria district on the same day.

Later today, Vaishali superintendent of police Parasnath suspended sub-inspector SN Ram, in whose custody Ravi was beaten up by the mob. He has also recommended the dismissal of four Home Guards personnel who were accompanying Ravi at the time of the incident.

Asked if any magisterial inquiry would be ordered into the incident, the SP replied in the negative. — PTI