An elderly Muslim man was assaulted in Loni in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district on June 5 while on his way to a mosque to offer prayers.
The attackers allegedly abducted Abdul Samad from an autorickshaw and dragged him to a hut in a nearby forested area, where they reportedly shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Vande Mataram’, which they forced him to shout as well, as they punched and beat him with wooden sticks.
They reportedly also accused Mr Samad of being a Pakistani spy.
One of the attackers – a young man wearing a white full-sleeve T-shirt and blue sweatpants – also threatened Mr Samad with a knife that he used to forcibly hack away at his beard.
A video of the heinous crime, in which Mr Samad can be seen pleading with his assailants, has gone viral.
Mr Samad was attacked by at least two other young males, one wearing a black shirt and red pants and the other wearing a light-blue T-shirt and grey pants, according to the footage.
“When I was on my way, I was offered a ride. Then two more men entered (the auto rickshaw) and instructed me to remain. Then they dragged me into a room, locked me in, and beat me. They forced me to recite slogans, confiscated my phone, and chopped my beard with a knife “Mr Samad, who was noticeably traumatised and in tears, claimed.
“They also showed me a video of other Muslims being attacked,” he added, adding that his assailants boasted to him of killing numerous Muslims in the past.
A complaint has been filed against Pravesh Gujjar, who is thought to be the key suspect. They’re still on the lookout for the rest of the group.
Loni’s top police officer, Atul Kumar Sonkar, said “necessary procedures” were being done.
The accused, who is now in police custody, has yet to make a statement or provide his side of the story.
