Baripada: Villagers tied up a woman and two youths to a utility pole and brutally assaulted them over suspected extra-marital affairs as part of a kangaroo court at a village under Jashipur police limits in Mayurbhanj district Friday evening.
Photos and videos of the assault went viral on social media, prompting police to act swiftly. Seven people were arrested and produced in court.
The accused were identifi ed as Jange Ho, 22, Ghanashyam Ho, 25, Anil Ho, 25, Padmabati Ho, 34, Surubali Ho, 52, Buduni Ho, 48, and Mata Ho, 45; all residents of Duradura village under Begunia panchayat.
According to police, the incident took place when the woman, a widow and mother of two children, was seen talking to the two youths on her way back from a nearby market.
Her in-laws and villagers, suspecting an extra-marital affair, grew agitated and dragged the woman along with the two men before tying them to a pole and thrashing them.
After a complaint was lodged, police registered a case (310/25) and launched an investigation.
Using the viral visuals as evidence, police officials arrested the accused persons and produced them in court.
Jashipur police station Inspector-In-Charge Sanjukta Mahalik said efforts are underway to apprehend others involved in the crime.
PNN