Kolkata, 24 September (H.S.): In a shocking incident of moral policing that draws grim parallels to similar cases of vigilante justice frequently reported from Bihar, a couple was tied to a pole and subjected to physical abuse and public humiliation by locals in Chandrakona, West Midnapore district, on Wednesday.

The victims involved are a 25-year-old widow and a man she had recently befriended on social media. According to reports, the woman, a resident of Gosaibazar Jawaharpur in Chandrakona Municipality, lost her husband three months ago after he allegedly died by suicide at their home. Police had registered an unnatural death case regarding his passing at the time.

Neighbors alleged that the young widow had entered into a relationship shortly after her husband's death. The situation escalated on Wednesday when the woman invited the man, a resident of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, to meet her at her in-laws’ residence.

Upon discovering the visitor, outraged locals took the law into their own hands. Accusing the man of illicit affairs and labeling the widow an adulteress, a mob tied the couple to a roadside pole. The harassment intensified as locals smeared lime on their faces, creating a massive commotion in the neighborhood.

The situation was eventually brought under control when news of the disturbance reached the Chandrakona police station. Police personnel promptly arrived at the scene and rescued the captive couple from the mob.

Despite the severity of the public assault, a district police officer confirmed that no detentions or arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Neither the villagers, the woman's family, nor the victims themselves stepped forward to file a formal written complaint. In the absence of formal charges, both the man and the woman were subsequently released by the authorities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh