A group of people hanged a man upside down from a tree and brutally beat him on suspicion of bike theft in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, police said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday in Bhakharpura village of Gudha Malani area, when Shravan Kumar, a Dalit man, was released on bail in a separate theft case.

In a statement, Barmer Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Singh Meena said Kumar was arrested after he was found stealing a bike at a local fair on December 29. Sources said that after Kumar was released on bail a few days ago, villagers accused him of stealing another bike. However, the person has denied the new allegation against him.

On Friday, villagers caught Kumar, tied his hands and hanged him upside down from a tree. A source said, “The villagers beat up the man. They also made a video recording of the attack, which has now gone viral.”

Gudamalani Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukhram Bishnoi said that a case has been registered based on the victim’s complaint and the police have taken cognizance of the 53-second clip.

Bishnoi said, “Kumar was allegedly attacked by villagers on suspicion of theft on Friday. He was earlier booked in another theft case. A case has been registered based on the victim’s complaint and a detailed investigation will be carried out. It’s going on.”