Moradabad:
Twenty six-year-old Aslam became the victim of vigilante justice in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district. Ironically, he was beaten to death inside the premises of the District Court, barely 100 metres from the District Magistrate's office.
And some of those who are reported to have beaten him were lawyers.
The petty thief was caught by the guard, allegedly stealing water pipes. They tied him up and called some lawyers.
"At six the morning he was caught stealing the water pipes and the guards saw him and beat him up. It is possible lawyers were also involved in the incident," said Moradabad DIG Badri Prasad.
The guard has been booked for murder, but the Bar association denies the involvement of lawyers in the murder.
"He entered the Bar with the intention of stealing and was caught by the guard. Two other people with him ran away. People beat him up, later the police took him away," said Rakesh Singh, president, Moradabad Bar Association.
Aslam may have been involved in petty crimes, but he deserved a fair trial in a court of law and not mob justice.