A day after a mob beat up and killed a man in Attappady, Kerala, at least sixteen people have been arrested in Palakkad district in relation to the crime.

All sixteen individuals have been charged under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Speaking to NDTV, Palakkad District Police Chief Prateesh Kumar said, “The postmortem report establishes that the death was caused due to the beating. Madhu had several internal injuries, as well as external injury marks on his body-mind including back and head.”

What had happened

A Madhu belonged to the ‘Muduga’ community in Attappady forest range, Palakkad district. Muduga tribes mainly inhabit the Attappady valley south of the Nilgiris.

He was accused of stealing from the provision store. Three cases against Madhu were already registered with the Agali Police Station. But after obtaining the CCTV footage of Madhu robbing on the evening of February 22, the mob spotted him in hills, and he was reportedly beaten up.

The mob then handed over Madhu to the police. When Madhu was being taken to the police station, he started vomiting and later collapsed. The police tried taking him to Government Tribal Speciality Hospital, but he died on the way.

It is also speculated that Madhu was mentally ill, however, the police said that no confirmation can be given on this.

Selfies and videos circulated on social media

Few photos and videos of the crime were circulated on social media. A selfie that emerged shows Madhu being questioned with his hands tied with a lungi.

After Madhu was caught by the mob, they questioned him. The video shows a man pulling out a few items from a bag that Madhu reportedly stole from the provisional store.

When The Logical Indian contacted Agali Police Station, they said, “The investigation is going on and Madhu’s body is sent to Medical College Hospital (MCH), Thrissur for postmortem.”

On being asked whether Madhu was beaten up by the mob and if anyone is being questioned in this regard, the official said, “The case is under investigation and after the postmortem results are received further action will be taken”.