Mob attacks housing society in Noida over missing maid, FIR against 300 people

The incident broke out over a missing maid, who the mob thought was thrashed wrongfully and detained by one of the flat owners blaming her for a theft. The society houses over 2000 families.

The near three-hour siege of Mahagun Moderne in Sector 78 involved the Sethis, Mitul, his wife Harshu and son Aryan, and their maid Zohra Bibi.

Zohra, who was worked for them for the last six months, was accused of stealing money by Harshu, had not returned home on Tuesday night, rendering her husband suspicious.

Upon seeing her wife default her usual time for returning home, her husband Abdul Sattar approached the society guards and inquired about her departure.

Taking the help of the register, her husband and the guards established that the maid had indeed entered the premises but did not leave.

Following an enquiry, the Sethis narrated their side of the story that Zohra had come and left when questioned about the theft.

Unconvinced with the explanation, Sattar called the police, who, after their routine search concluded that the maid wasn't with the Sethis.

Unhappy with the unfolding of events, Sattar went back to the slum that night and called a meeting and the next morning returned back to the society with 300 men and women, who vandalised the place.

Stones were pelted and a scuffle broke out between the security personnel and the mob, but, nobody was seriously hurt.

Police arrived at the place two hours later, by which time the place looked like a battle zone, the Time of India reported.

Following another search, Zohra was found at another flat.

The flat owners explained that she had complained of feeling ill and rested in their place at night.

Two FIR's have been registered so far, one by Mitul Sethi, who accused 300 odd people of vandalising his property and another by Abdul Sattar, who accused the Sethis of thrashing his wife Zohra.

Police have also squashed the theory suggested by some that Zohra was living illegally and was a Bangladeshi migrant, to which the law enforcement officers said that she carried proper documents.

However, they have started investigation based on the complaints, of Zohra stealing the money and the Sethis thrashing and keeping her captive.

Meanwhile, a Delhi based journalist, Nilanjana Bhowmick, who had rushed to the area and later spoke to Zohra, said the woman was locked up in a room all night and not allowed to go home.

She posted picture of the woman on Facebook and also started a hastag justiceforzohra. She said Zohra is in hospital and being treated for her wounds.

"When I reached I found police in riot gear, firing. It's incomprehensible. The situation is ludicrous. In the video you see below AK Singh, SP, Noida, has promised to take action after the husband has lodged an FIR. Please help us hold Noida police accountable to this promise. Pls share widely to ensure #justiceforzohra," she posted later.

Image: TV grab and FB post of Nilanjana Bhowmick