Alleged thief beaten to death by mob in Nagpur after chain-snatching bid; accomplice flees

An attempt was made on Tuesday evening to snatch a gold chain from a woman's neck in Nagpur's Prithviraj Nagar area. Local people caught two alleged thieves and beat them, and one of them died. The area falls under the Beltarodi police station limits. The incident has caused panic across the locality, and the police are investigating the matter further.

According to the police, Sumedh and his accomplice reached the house of Usha Dharmik in Prithviraj Nagar on Tuesday evening dressed as delivery boys. One of them called out, and Usha Dharmik came out of the house. Sumedh then grabbed her and tried to snatch the gold chain from her neck.

Usha Dharmik was alarmed but composed herself and raised an alarm for help. Hearing her, people nearby rushed out. Shouting "Chor, chor" (thief, thief), they chased the two, and a mob caught them a short distance away.

The mob then beat both men severely. Before the police could reach the spot and free them from the crowd, one of the alleged thieves fled. The mob beat the other until he was senseless. Early information had also suggested that one person had been injured.

After some time, the police admitted the injured Sumedh to hospital, where doctors examined him and declared him dead. A crowd remained gathered in front of the police station for a long time after the incident.

According to the police, the dead alleged thief has been identified as Sumedh Gajbhiye, 28. The alleged thief who fled is named as Deepak Patil. According to the available information, both have earlier been booked in a few cases of theft and robbery.

The police are investigating the entire matter.