Mob Lynches Innocent Man Mistaken for "Drone Thief" in Bareilly

On August 2nd, 2025, a 50-year-old unidentified man was tragically lynched by a mob in the Bhojipura area of Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred around 8:30 pm, when the victim, a mentally-ill beggar from a nearby village, was mistaken for a "drone thief" by the locals.

In recent months, there has been a rising paranoia around "drone-aided thefts" in several parts of Uttar Pradesh. Villagers have been conducting night patrols and arming themselves with sticks, torches, and even airguns in response to low-flying drone sightings, some of which have turned out to be mere rumors or government surveillance drones.

On the fateful evening, the shabbily dressed man was spotted roaming in the Memaura village under the Bhojipura police station. Fearing a potential theft due to the recent drone-related rumors, the villagers raised an alarm and gathered to thrash the man. The merciless assault left the victim unconscious with severe head injuries and bruises all over his body. By the time the local police arrived, the man was already declared dead at the hospital.

Police have since arrested four accused - Nirdesh Kumar (34), Harprasad Singh (36), Charan Singh (28), and Vikas Kumar (29) - in connection with the incident. An FIR has been registered under various sections, including murder. The victim's body has been kept in a mortuary, and authorities are waiting for someone to claim it. If no one comes forward, they will conduct the post-mortem and cremate the body.

This tragic incident is being described as the "first such death in the state caused by drone-related rumors." The Uttar Pradesh police have now launched night patrols and awareness drives to prevent further such incidents, while also creating a "drone register" to identify legitimate drone operators.