A 20-year-old Dalit man was allegedly held hostage, attacked and faced casteist abuses after his bike collided with another two-wheeler, police said on Sunday, March 23.

Sangam Lal Gautam was riding a bike home to Handia in Prayagraj on March 10 when the accident occurred.

The superintendent of police (SP) Abhimanyu Manglik said, “Rishabh Pandey, travelling in the wrong direction near Berwa Paharpur, collided with Sangam Lal’s bike, causing serious injuries.”

“As soon as they came to know about his caste, Rishabh along with his father and 10 other unidentified men started abusing the injured Sangam Lal Gautam, hurling castist slurs. They accused him of riding a bike in an intoxicated state and beat him,” the police officer said.

The victim was then allegedly held hostage with Rishabh Pandey demanding Rs 20,000 for the damage to his bike. After several hours, Sangam Lal managed to inform his father Narayan Das Gautam, who contacted emergency services, police said.

Police rescued Sangam Lal and admitted him to a community health centre.

Based on his complaint filed on March 22, a case has been registered at the Koirauna police station against Rishabh Pandey, Pawan Pandey, and 10 unidentified people under BNS and the SC/ST Act.

Further investigation is ongoing.

(With inputs from PTI)