Madhya Pradesh tractor owner tied up and beaten with slippers after driver killed in crash

Bhopal:

A tractor accident in Madhya Pradesh today resulted in the death and beating of the owner of the vehicle. Video of the beating – which took place at the premises of the local trauma center – is now making the rounds on social media.

Mardan Singh, the driver, had lost control of the vehicle, which overturned in Rampurwa village of Singrauli district. The driver was injured and died while being treated at the trauma center. But his relatives accused the owner of the vehicle of murder and beat him.

Amit Vaish, the owner of the tractor, had taken the driver to the trauma center when he learned of the accident, said Shiv Kumar Verma, a senior local police officer. But the driver died.

His relatives blamed Mr Vaish for the death when he went to inform them and offer his condolences, police said. They tied him up and beat him with slippers. No one came forward to help him. Instead, viewers recorded it on their cellphones and uploaded the videos to social media.

Mr Vaish managed to escape and surrendered to the local police where he lodged a complaint. A case of assault has been recorded and police are investigating the matter, sources said.

Police are questioning a hospital security guard, who has been accused of inciting Mardan Singh’s relatives, sources said.