Nagpur man accused of molesting girl, 9, dies at Mayo Hospital after mob beating in Pardi

A 35-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in Nagpur's Pardi area died during treatment at Mayo Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He was allegedly beaten by a mob on Monday night.

The deceased has been identified as Narayandas Manmohandas Vaishnav. He lived in Shivnagar, Pardi. He was reportedly originally from Bhilai and had come to Nagpur looking for work.

The incident took place in Shivnagar, near the Maskara Ganpati Mandal. An event was under way there at the time, and several children were playing near the pandal.

According to the girl's family, Vaishnav allegedly approached her and said her mother had asked her to stay at his house for a while. The girl is said to have believed him and gone home with him. Police said Vaishnav is alleged to have taken the girl inside the house and sexually assaulted her.

The girl is reported to have resisted and bitten his hand. She then managed to run back to her family and told her mother about the alleged incident.

News of the alleged incident spread quickly. About 70 to 80 people reportedly gathered outside Vaishnav's house. According to police, some people in the crowd allegedly dragged him out of the house and beat him with kicks and punches.

Meanwhile, the girl's grandfather went to Pardi police station and informed officers about the beating. A police team went to the spot immediately. Seeing a large crowd there, the team called for more personnel.

Vaishnav was found lying injured on the ground. Police said he told them that about eight to 10 people had beaten him. Those allegedly involved in the beating had left before police arrived.

Police took him to Mayo Hospital for treatment, where his statement was recorded.

On a complaint by the girl's father, Pardi police registered a case against Vaishnav under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. A separate case has been registered against eight to 10 unidentified people for beating Vaishnav, on the complaint of a head constable.

Vaishnav died during treatment at Mayo Hospital at about 2.30 pm on Tuesday. Police informed his brother of the death. The exact cause of death is not yet clear, so a case of accidental death has been registered for now.

Pardi Police Inspector Nanda Mangte said police will investigate both the circumstances of Vaishnav's death and the beating allegedly carried out by the mob. The investigation into the alleged sexual offence and the subsequent beating is continuing.