Pardi man dies after mob beating over allegation involving girl, 9; police detain suspects

A 35-year-old man died at Mayo Hospital in Nagpur after being thrashed by a crowd in the Shivnagar settlement of the Pardi police station area. The crowd had turned on him over an allegation that he had abused a nine-year-old girl. He has been named as Narayan Vaishnav in some accounts and as Narayandas Manmohandas Vaishnav in others. Police have detained some suspects for questioning in connection with the beating.

Vaishnav was reportedly from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and had come to Nagpur looking for work. He lived near a Ganpati pandal in Shivnagar, where a cultural programme was on at the time and many people had gathered. The girl had gone there; one account says she was with her mother, others say she was playing with other children.

According to the allegation, Vaishnav told the girl that her mother had asked her to stay at his house for a while. One version quotes him as saying, "Your mother has asked you to stay at home for a while." Another says he claimed her father was calling her. She believed him and went with him. Inside, she became suspicious when the light was switched off and an attempt was made to shut the door. She bit his hand and ran out. She raised an alarm among the people outside and told her family what had happened.

The filings differ on the nature of the allegation. Some describe an obscene act, or an attempt to molest her. Others say she was sexually assaulted. Police have said the allegation is still being investigated separately, and it remains only an allegation for now.

Word spread within minutes. Some 70 to 80 people gathered around Vaishnav's house. Several dragged him out and kicked and punched him until he was bloodied and seriously hurt. The police were informed late at night, and the girl's family also went to Pardi police station. Accounts differ on whether her father or her grandfather went, but whoever it was told police about the allegation and about the beating under way. Police reached the spot, called for extra personnel on seeing the crowd, and found that many of those involved had already left.

Vaishnav was lying injured on the ground. He told police that about eight to 10 people from the crowd had beaten him and that he could not identify them. Police took him to Mayo Hospital, where he was put in the ICU in critical condition and his statement was recorded. A case was registered against him under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act on the complaint of the girl's father. A separate case was registered against eight to 10 unidentified people for the assault, on the complaint of a head constable.

Most accounts say the incident was on Monday night and that Vaishnav died at about 2.30 pm on Tuesday, October 6. One report puts the time at about 3.30 pm. Another places the beating on Tuesday night and the death on Wednesday. Police informed his brother of the death.

The cause of death is yet to be established. Police have registered a case of accidental death for now and are waiting for the post-mortem report. Police Inspector Nanda Mangate (also spelt Mangte) said the circumstances of his death and the conduct of the mob are both being investigated. Police are checking footage from nearby CCTV cameras, examining mobile phone videos and questioning eyewitnesses. They are also trying to establish who began the assault. Who exactly took part will be clear only after the investigation. The situation in the area is reported to be under control.

Legal experts say that however grave the accusation, only a court has the right to punish. If a crowd takes the law into its own hands and a person dies, it can lead to a separate criminal case.

This is the second such death in Nagpur within about a week. On September 29, 2026, Sumedh alias Parag Gajbhiye (29), a resident of Narsala, was caught and beaten after he allegedly tried to rob the house of Usha Dharmik in Prithviraj Nagar, Model Mill Colony, in the Beltarodi police station area. He later died. The post-mortem gave the cause of death as a heart attack, although signs of internal injuries were also found on the body. The two incidents have revived talk about mob justice and about law and order in the city.