The Madhya Pradesh Police have arrested two people for allegedly tying up a Dalit man to a petrol pump machine in the state’s Hoshangabad city and whipping him about 100 times with a belt, the Hindustan Times reported on Friday.
The incident took place on June 23, but a video of the incident went viral on social media on July 2. The police identified the arrested men as the fuel outlet’s manager Deepak Sahu and assistant manager Aakash Sahu.
Hoshangabad Superintendent of Police Arvind Saxena said the victim, Ajay Ahirwar, who worked at the petrol pump, was beaten up for asking for an increase in his salary.
“He requested a hike in his wages from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 but Deepak Sahu scolded him and refused to do so,” Saxena said. “When Ajay didn’t come to the petrol pump on June 22 for duty, Sahu sent someone to get him the following day. When he came, they tied him to the petrol pump and Deepak Sahu, along with Aakash Sahu, whipped him at least 100 times.”
Saxena added that the victim initially did not file a complaint as he was scared. However, after a video of the incident went viral on social media, a local Dalit organisation asked Ahirwar to file a first information report.
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