In a shocking incident of mob violence, a mentally challenged youth, who was allegedly beaten up by people on suspicion of stealing rice in Kerala's Palakkad district, succumbed to injuries on Thursday.
According to media reports, the deceased, identified as Madhu (35), was stopped by people when they noticed him carrying a bag of rice. Police claimed that they questioned him and beat him up before handing him over to the police.
The youth was also publicly tried by the people, who took selfies with him.
Although the police took him to the hospital, he succumbed to the injuries.
There have been incidents of theft in the area, and the people decided to question Madhu and attack him as he looked similar to the man who was found in a CCTV footage.
The man, who was badly beaten up, vomited in the police vehicle. The police said the cause of death will be ascertained in the autopsy.
There has been widespread protests against the brutal incident with many people condemning it.