A 19-year-old youth was allegedly beaten to death by villagers over suspicion of stealing a motor pump in Jharkhand’s Ranchi district, police said on Saturday. Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The deceased has been identified as Vicky Nayak, a resident of Chaya village under Burmu police station limits, around 50 km from Ranchi.

Assault after theft suspicion

According to police, Nayak was caught by a group of villagers who accused him of stealing a motor pump. Burmu officer-in-charge Naveen Sharma said the villagers later convened a panchayat meeting, during which the teenager was allegedly beaten.

“He was assaulted during the meeting and fainted on the spot,” Sharma told PTI.

Police said there was no prior complaint registered regarding the alleged theft before the incident.

After he collapsed, Nayak was taken by his family members to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. Doctors there declared him brought dead, police said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and the final cause of death will be confirmed after the report is received. Police said the investigation remains open, with a focus on establishing accountability for the assault and preventing similar incidents in the region.

FIR and arrests

An FIR has been registered on the basis of a statement given by the victim’s father. Following the registration of the case, police teams carried out raids in the area and arrested six accused persons, Sharma said.

The arrested individuals are being questioned to ascertain their individual roles in the incident, including who allegedly initiated the assault and whether there was any attempt to extort or intimidate the victim before the violence. Police said more arrests could follow if further involvement is established.

Authorities have also sought details from villagers who were present during the panchayat meeting. Statements are being recorded to reconstruct the events leading up to Nayak’s collapse and death.

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