UP Horror: Video Shows Mob Harassing Woman Pillion Rider On Flooded Road in Lucknow, 4 Held

Lucknow: While heavy rainfall has drenched several parts of India, a viral video from Uttar Pradesh's capital city Lucknow has sparked massive outrage. The footage shows a group of men harassing a woman riding pillion on a bike on a flooded road in the city.

The incident prompted police to arrest four people and take action against eight officials, including the DCP concerned. While five police personnel, including the local police station incharge, were suspended, the deputy commissioner of police (East Lucknow), additional DCP and assistant commissioner of police (ACP) were shunted out for negligence, an official statement said on Thursday.

The incident happened under the Taj Hotel bridge, where the group of men surrounded the bike and splashed rainwater on the riders as they attempted to cross. The disturbing video has generated significant backlash online.

As the bike tried to pass by the group, a few men pulled it back, causing the duo to fall on the flooded road amid heavy rain. Before the bike was pulled by the miscreants, a man was seen allegedly groping the woman. Reportedly, the men were dispersed after a police officer intervened.

Not only this, the mob was also seen splashing water on other vehicles and even opening the doors of some vehicles so that the flood water goes inside the cars. 

"Taking cognizance of the incident, an FIR was lodged at Gomti Nagar police station. Police formed four different teams, including a crime team, to apprehend the culprits.

"As a result, four accused were arrested and based on the evidence collected and CCTV footage, additional relevant sections have been added to the FIR," the statement issued by police said.

The accused have been booked under sections 191(2) (rioting) and 74 (assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, it said.

Lucknow Police Commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar said two of the four arrested accused -- Pawan Yadav and Sunil Kumar -- were identified through CCTV footage on Wednesday night and they led police to the other two -- Mohammed Arbaaz and Viraj Sahu.

"Raids are being conducted to arrest the other accused," Sengar said.

Acknowledging "apparent negligence" in handling the situation, the police statement said DCP (East Lucknow) Prabal Pratap Singh, Additional DCP Amit Kumawat and ACP Anshu Jain have been removed from their positions with immediate effect.

Inspector Incharge Deepak Kumar Pandey, Chowki Incharge Rishi Vivek and three other police personnel present at the chowki -- Sub-Inspector Kapil Kumar and Constables Dharmveer and Virendra Kumar -- have been suspended, the statement said.