In a disturbing incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a burqa-clad Muslim woman and a Hindu man were attacked by a group of men in the Khalapar locality of Muzaffarnagar. The woman was allegedly stripped of her hijab and the man accompanying her was physically assaulted by the mob. The assault, captured in a video that has since gone viral, has ignited concerns over growing communal hostility and gender-based violence in the region.

According to police officials, the incident took place when 20-year-old Farheen, an employee of Utkarsh Small Finance Limited, was traveling with a man named Sachin. Farheen, a resident of the Khalapar area, had been sent by her mother to collect a loan installment. She was riding pillion on a motorcycle with Sachin when they were confronted by a group of 8-10 men.

The group allegedly stopped the duo in a narrow lane and began verbally abusing them. As the situation escalated, members of the group forcibly removed Farheen’s hijab and manhandled both individuals. Onlookers recorded the attack on mobile phones instead of intervening, and videos of the incident rapidly spread across social media platforms, intensifying public scrutiny and prompting swift police action.

Authorities responded quickly, arriving at the scene to disperse the crowd and escort Farheen and Sachin to safety. Following Farheen’s complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Six individuals identified in the video were arrested.

Interestingly, after the arrest, videos emerged showing the accused limping while in police custody, raising suspicions among netizens who speculated that the limping might have been staged to garner sympathy or suggest custodial mistreatment.