Punjab: Man suspected of reporting power theft chained, assaulted; five booked

Moga: Five people in Moga district’s Redawa village were booked for allegedly thrashing a 55-year old man on the suspicion that it was his complaint on which officials raided and disconnected their connection.

After the video of attack gone viral, Dharamkot police station registered an FIR on Saturday against the accused, all of whom are absconding.

Harbans Singh, the victim, in his statement said that the accused were using a motor to steal power. He alleged that the accused threatened to kill him. Fellow villagers rescued him after he was tied to a tree and beaten up.

In the video clip, the accused can be seen dragging Singh with an iron chain which was wrapped around his neck and hands. One man could be seen raising his hand, threatening to him while another man hurled abuses.

According to police, the accused believed that Singh had registered complain against them acting on which the electricity board disconnected the power supply after raiding their house.

Gurmeet Singh, Satwant Singh, Mahinder Singh, Chinder Singh and Mangat Singh were booked under sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC, The Indian Express reported.