Three women have been arrested in Tripura’s Udaipur after a viral video exposed the brutal assault of a woman in Khilpara as part of a moral policing incident. Police formed an SIT to investigate, while political leaders condemned the attack as a disgraceful act of mob violence.
In a chilling case of mob violence and moral policing, police have arrested three women for their alleged involvement in the brutal public assault of a woman in Khilpara, Udaipur subdivision of Tripura’s Gomati district. The incident, which occurred on August 16, sparked outrage after a disturbing video of the assault went viral on social media nearly ten days later, forcing authorities to act.
Superintendent of Police (Gomati) Kiran Kumar confirmed the arrests, identifying the accused as Manju Rani Das, Putul Rani Das, and Hamida Banu. The arrests came after weeks of public pressure and condemnation, as reports surfaced that the incident had initially been suppressed by locals.
Viral Video Exposes Brutality
The viral footage showed a mob of people violently assaulting a woman in broad daylight. According to reports, the woman, a resident of Khilpara, was accused of alleged “moral turpitude” and was targeted as part of what many are calling a dangerous act of “moral policing.”
The video depicted the victim being tied up with her hands bound behind her back, thrown face down on a drain culvert, and physically assaulted by a group of locals, including women. In an act of further humiliation, one of the assailants forcibly cut off her hair in front of onlookers.
The attack was reportedly led by a local political functionary affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The revelation intensified the controversy and brought the case into the political spotlight.
Victim’s Husband Lodges Complaint
Following the assault, the victim’s husband, Swapan Das, lodged a formal complaint at the RK Pur Women Police Station. In his statement, he named several individuals allegedly involved in the attack, including Mozira Begum, Monju Rani Das, and Bholu Rani Das.
Das further alleged that despite filing the complaint, police did not take immediate action to arrest the accused or provide protection to his wife. It was only after the video went viral and public outrage mounted that the police initiated serious action and detained three suspects.
Political Backlash and Condemnation
The brutal assault triggered widespread condemnation across Tripura. The Gomati district unit of the BJP, sensing the gravity of the incident, distanced itself from the accused and demanded strict action.
A delegation of BJP district leaders, led by district president Sabita Nag, met Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar to press for exemplary punishment. Speaking to the media, Nag strongly denounced the assault, stating:
“This act of violence is not just against one woman but a disgrace to the whole society. We demand strict punishment for the culprits.”
Police Response and SIT Formation
In response to mounting criticism, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities also announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle the case.
The SIT will be led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and will include senior officials such as the Officer-in-Charge of the Women’s Police Station. Police officials have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to identify all individuals involved in the assault and bring them to justice.
A Stark Reminder of Mob Violence
This incident highlights the disturbing rise of moral policing and mob justice in society, where individuals or groups take the law into their own hands under the pretext of upholding “social values.” Women often bear the brunt of such actions, facing both physical violence and public humiliation.
Human rights activists have pointed out that such mob actions not only violate fundamental rights but also reflect deep-rooted gender biases. The Khilpara case serves as a reminder of the urgent need for stronger law enforcement and community awareness to prevent such acts of vigilantism.
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As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on whether the SIT will be able to ensure justice for the victim and restore public faith in the rule of law. The arrests have offered some relief, but questions linger about the initial police inaction and possible political shielding of the accused.
For now, the woman and her family await justice while the state grapples with the fallout of an incident that has shocked the conscience of the society.
