MP Home Minister Orders Probe After Video Of Man In Pet Collar Goes Viral

Bhopal:

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra today ordered the Police Commissioner to probe a video viral on social media showing a group of men abusing and threatening a man while pulling on a pet collar they tied around his neck. A First information Report, of FIR, has been resigtered against the accused under the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act as well as for kidnapping, wrongfully restraining, and voluntarily causing hurt.

In the 48 second video clip, the accused can be heard asking the victim to "become a dog" and apologise to them.

"Sahil bhai is my father, my elder brother. Faizan bhai is my brother. My mother is his mother, his mother is mine," he says.

The accused then ask him to bark like a dog. "Sahil bhai, I haven't done anything," he pleads, and mentions something about a "story" (presumably on social media).

"I haven't done it. Shah Rukh did it. He threatens me," the victim says as the accused continue abusing him.

"I saw the video. It seemed very serious. Such behaviour against another person is reprehensible. I have asked the Police Commissioner to investigate the incident, take action, and deliver results within 24 hours," he said.

The police have arrested three men -- Sameer, Sajid, and Faizan -- after filing a case against them. The victim has been identified as Vijay Ramchandani.

Faizan Lal, Sahil Bachha, and Sameer, who the accused knew from before, blocked his way, slapped him, and searched his pockets.

"Sameer was standing far away and was saying kill him, search the pockets thoroughly, you will find something," the victim's complaint said.

At the same time, three men -- Bilal, Mufid and Sahil Baccha -- arrived in a car and they, too, started beating him up. They threatened him with a knife and took him to another place on a motorcycle, snatched the keys of his scooter, and also his two phones, the FIR said.

Two of them tied a belt around his neck, started kicking him, and abusing his mother and sister.

They demanded money at knifepoint, and the victim handed over Rs 700-800 and two phones out of fear, the FIR said.

"While beating me up, they asked me to become a Muslim and start eating beef. They said I was a coward and they could have killed me that day," the FIR said.

The victim further alleged that the accused called his brother, and later his mother too, and threatened them. He claimed the accused continued to harass him and demanded money.

"I kept quiet due to fear but am fed up of their harassment," he said, demanding strict punishment.