A 45-year-old Muslim cloth vendor, Mohammad Athar Hussain, died on December 12, 2025, a week after he was allegedly assaulted by a mob in Bhattapar village of Bihar’s Nawada district.

The incident occurred on the evening of December 5 after Hussain reportedly stopped for help with a punctured bicycle tyre. The victim’s wife, Shabnam Parveen, filed a police complaint on December 6, naming ten people and alleging her husband was lynched over his religious identity following a false accusation of theft.

The Nawada police, under SP Abhinav Dhiman, swiftly formed a special team and eleven people have been arrested so far. All arrested individuals have been sent to judicial custody, with raids continuing for the remaining suspects.

Victim’s Wife Recalls the Horror

The incident occurred on the evening of December 5, when Hussain was returning on his bicycle after selling clothes. According to the family, he stopped near Bhattapar village after his bicycle tyre punctured and asked a group of men for directions.

“He was selling clothes and was coming back when five to six people stopped him,” victim’s wife, Shabnam Parveen, told The Logical Indian. “They started beating him with sticks. They took ₹18,000 from his pocket and then dragged him into a room.”

Parveen alleged that the violence escalated after her husband revealed his identity. “They asked his name and beat him even more, thinking he was Muslim,” she said. According to her account, the assault continued for hours, leaving Hussain with severe injuries. “There was blood all over his body. His hand broke, he had burn marks and he was unconscious,” she said.

The victim was allegedly beaten with iron rod, stick and was electrocuted.

Allegations of Delay in Medical Referral

When the family reached the hospital, Hussain was barely conscious.

“He was bleeding heavily. His head was bandaged, his face was covered in blood. There was no one to take care of him,” Parveen said. Parveen also alleged delays in shifting Hussain to a better medical facility, claiming his condition deteriorated over the following days.

“After two or three days, he started vomiting and had severe pain. We kept asking to take him to a better hospital, but no one listened,” she said. She added that his breathing problems worsened before he was finally taken to another hospital.

“By the fourth day, he could not breathe properly. He was shifted to another hospital,” she said.

Hussain succumbed to his injuries on December 12.

The Logical Indian attempted to contact the Nawada Superintendent of Police to verify the family’s allegation of medical negligence and delay in shifting the victim, however, calls went unanswered at the time of publishing.

Victim’s Last Recorded Statement

In a video statement recorded from his hospital bed before his death, Mohammad Athar Hussain described the assault in detail, alleging that he was targeted after the attackers discovered his religious identity.

“I had gone to Dumri to sell clothes and was returning in the evening when four or five men stopped me near a brick kiln,” Hussain said in the video. “They took ₹16,000–18,000 from my pocket, snatched my bicycle and clothes, and dragged me into a room after locking me inside.”

He alleged that the violence escalated later in the night. “When it got very late, they checked me and said ‘Miyan ji’ and began torturing me,” he said, alleging that he was assaulted with sticks and iron rods and suffered multiple serious injuries. Hussain also said that they poured petrol on his private parts.

“Someone climbed on my chest, pressed me down, and blood came from my mouth. My head was hit with a rod and my hand was crushed.” Hussain claimed the attackers left him unconscious, believing he was dead. “After I passed out completely, someone called 112,” he said.

In the video, Hussain repeatedly referred to his children and pleaded for justice. “I have small children. I am the only earning member. They took my money, my goods, everything,” he said. “Now we are leaving justice in your hands.”

Bihar Police Arrests Eleven

The Nawada police launched a full-scale investigation based on the complaint filed by the victim’s wife on December 6, registered. In view of the seriousness of the incident, a special team was formed under the Sadar Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO).

The police first arrested four named accused within 24 hours of the incident. Subsequently, based on technical investigation and continued raids, four more accused were arrested on December 13, bringing the total to eight adult accused.

The latest update confirms the arrest of three more accused, including two juveniles in conflict with the law, bringing the total number of arrests to eleven. All arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody, with the search for the remaining accused continuing.

‘We Want Justice’

Hussain was the sole breadwinner of the family. Parveen said she is now struggling to cope emotionally and financially. “We have three children. They are scared. They keep looking for their father,” she said.

“We want justice. We need punishment for those who did this. How will we survive?” She added that while some political representatives have visited the family, they are yet to receive concrete support.