(Note: The earlier version of this article had inadvertently mentioned the victim as an IIT student. The mistake is deeply regretted)

Cow vigilantees have claimed another innocent life, this time in Kolkata. The latest victim to be lynched by a mob was a second year ITI student from Harindanga village in West Bengal's South-24 Parganas district.

ABP News

The 24-year-old boy identified as Kaushik Purkait, was beaten up by a mob on Monday while he was visiting his aunt's home to celebrate Kali puja. He was confronted by a mob who mistook him to be a member of a gang which is involved in smuggling cattle.

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His relatives said Kaushik was dragged to a local club in Diamond Harbour where he was severely beaten up. When his family members came to rescue him, the mob demanded Rs 1.5 lakh to allow them to take Kaushik to the hospital, The Indian Express reported.

“He was beaten up badly and not allowed to make any call. When we reached the club, they said either you give in writing that you would pay Rs 1.5 lakh later or you pay Rs 70,000 now,”Kartik Purkait, the victim’s father said.

Even though the family got him released and took him to a local hospital, Kaushik succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.

Outlook

Police have registered an FIR against 10 people, including Tapas Mallick, a member of the Trinamool Congress-ruled gram panchayat. Even though five people have been arrested Mallick is still on the run.