The incident took place in Mumbai's Shivaji Nagar market (Representative Image) | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Mumbai: Incidents of mob lynching fuelled by rumours of 'child lifting gangs' have been reported from across the country in recent months, but a recent instance in Mumbai is unlike anything we have seen. A mob of locals reportedly assaulted two policemen in plain-clothes after the thief they were trying to nab accused them of being child lifters.

A case regarding the matter has been registered at the Shivaji Nagar police station and local law enforcement agencies have launched a probe. The thief spread a rumour about the police officers who were in plain-clothes which prompted the mob to restrain the officers. In the commotion that followed, the thief who was the target of the victims' investigation, managed to flee the spot. The chaotic turn of events could only be brought to control after a PCR van from the Shivaji Nagar police station arrived at the market and rescued the two policemen.

In light of the matter, Mumbai police arrested two men namely Ahmed Sheikh and Raees Sheikh for helping the accused thief spread the rumour about the police officials being part of a 'child lifting' gang. Those familiar with the investigation said that the two policemen were tailing the thief based on his past movements which were captured on CCTV and accessed by the police department.

Senior inspector Deepak Pagare of the Shivaji Nagar police station told Mumbai Mirror that a case has been registered against four of the thief's friends who helped him spread the rumour about the policemen. Two of the four have been taken into custody, he added.

Must Read: Woman 'paraded' atop police jeep: HC issues notice to Punjab DGP, SSP Amritsar