Man lynched for suspected theft was mentally ill: Kin

The family of Shankar, 28, who was lynched on suspicion of haystack theft on Sunday night, revealed on Tuesday that he was mentally ill. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

"The accused have been identified as Andip, Subhash, Anoop, and Harender. A case of murder and destruction of evidence has been registered against them," Deputy Commissioner of Police (north-west) Milind Dumbre said.

According to the police, Shankar was undergoing treatment for mental illness. Sources revealed that another man, who owns the land where the hay stack shop was located, has also been detained and is being questioned.

Andip owned the shop while the other accused worked as labourers.

The post-mortem report suggested that Shankar died of excessive internal bleeding and fractured ribs.