A factory owner in Ludhiana faced a legal setback after the Punjab & Haryana High Court refused his plea for anticipatory bail, condemning his actions as “Taliban-style punishment.” The man allegedly paraded workers through the streets with placards reading “I am a thief” after accusing them of theft.
The court found the act inhumane and damaging, stating that public humiliation of this nature could irreparably harm the victims’ social standing and future. Among those shamed were three girls, an elderly woman, and a minor boy—each subjected to face blackening and public ridicule, with a video of the incident later surfacing online.
A criminal case was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with authorities investigating the source of the viral footage. The court emphasized the necessity of custodial interrogation to gather evidence, including the accused’s mobile phone and factory surveillance records.
While bail was granted to co-accused due to ongoing investigations, the court deemed the factory owner’s influence over potential witnesses a risk. It also noted that additional charges under child protection laws could be introduced, given the involvement of a minor.
The accused was given ten days to surrender and apply for regular bail, with the court instructing the lower judiciary to expedite any such plea. However, the ruling made clear that no conclusions had been drawn on the case’s final outcome.