Condemnation Mounts Over Fatal Mob Attack on Chicken Thief in Tabanan
The mob attack on a man with the initials KD, who was accused of stealing a chicken in Banjar Dinas Juwuk Legi, Baturiti Subdistrict, Tabanan, Bali, has drawn widespread attention. The incident, which resulted in KD’s death, is now being handled by the authorities.
The case has prompted responses from various parties. From the Ministry of Human Rights (KemenHAM) to village officials and the police, all have affirmed that suspected criminal offences should be resolved through the legal process, not through vigilante action.
KemenHAM Condemns Vigilante Action
The Ministry of Human Rights has condemned the mob beating that killed KD. The Coordinator of KemenHAM’s Bali Working Area, Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Dalem, expressed condolences over the incident.
“We mourn this tragedy,” said Dalem, quoted by detikBali on Sunday (26/7/2026).
According to him, every citizen has the right to legal protection. Therefore, anyone suspected of committing a criminal offence must still be handed over to law enforcement to be processed according to the rules.
Calls for a Transparent Legal Process
Beyond condemning the mob attack, KemenHAM has called for the case to be handled professionally and accountably.
“At the same time, we also urge that the legal process be conducted professionally, transparently and accountably, so that it provides legal certainty and a sense of justice for all parties,” said Dalem.
KemenHAM’s Bali Working Area also stated that it will monitor the handling of the case and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure the law enforcement process continues to respect human rights principles.
Senator Issues Strong Condemnation
Member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) from Bali, Ni Luh Jelantik, said she was saddened to see the victim’s children lose their father. Ni Luh strongly condemned the mob action that claimed a person’s life.
“I strongly condemn this mob attack. Regardless of the allegation that the victim stole a chicken, there is not a single reason that can justify taking the law into one’s own hands to the point of taking someone’s life,” said Ni Luh when contacted on Sunday (26/7/2026).
Ni Luh highlighted the plight of the victim’s wife and children, who must now live without a husband and father following the tragic incident. She stressed that violence will never solve any problem.
“A wife has lost her husband, children have lost their father. And now they must live with trauma that runs so deep from what happened,” she said.
Ni Luh fully supports the police in thoroughly investigating the mob attack. She asked that all perpetrators be processed through the courts.
“All perpetrators must be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions,” she asserted.
Village Government: Do Not Take the Law Into Your Own Hands
The Head (Perbekel) of Sidatapa Village, I Made Sutama, also expressed regret over the incident that claimed the life of one of his residents.
According to Sutama, whatever offence a person is suspected of committing, it must be resolved through the legal mechanism.
“If he is indeed guilty, report him to the authorities. Do not take the law into your own hands to the point of taking a person’s life merely over a stolen chicken,” said Sutama, quoted by detikBali on Sunday (26/7/2026).
Police Investigate Theft and Mob Attack
The police are currently investigating two cases at once: the alleged chicken theft and the mob beating that caused KD’s death.
“At present, investigators are still examining two main aspects of the case, namely the alleged chicken theft and the mass violence that occurred afterwards,” said the Head of Baturiti Police, Commissioner I Nyoman Darsana, on Sunday (26/7/2026).
The police also urged the public not to take the law into their own hands if they catch someone suspected of a crime.
“The public is expected to immediately report any incident to the police so that it can be handled according to the legal mechanism, ensuring that public security and order are maintained,” Darsana asserted.
Five Suspects Named
The police have named five residents who attacked KD as suspects. The five suspects have the initials MJ, WS, KB, ML and ND.
The Head of Tabanan Police, AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati, said the five suspects were named following intensive examination and interrogation at Baturiti Police Station.
“After interrogation, we named five suspects in the mob beating, all of whom are men,” Bayu Pati said at a press conference at Tabanan Police Headquarters.
In addition to securing the five suspects, the police also seized items of evidence including clothing belonging to the suspects, an iron bar and a bamboo stick allegedly used to assault the victim to death.
Victim’s Children and Family to Receive Support
KemenHAM is also pushing for KD’s family, especially his children, to receive psychological support and protection of their rights.
The Buleleng Regency Government is doing likewise. The Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Service (Dinsos P3A), together with related agencies, have visited the family home to ensure they receive support.
The Head of Buleleng’s Dinsos P3A, I Putu Kariaman Putra, said a team of psychologists will be deployed to help the victim’s children recover.
“Tomorrow we will carry out outreach together with psychologists to support the children and the family concerned,” said Kariaman, quoted by detikBali on Sunday (26/7/2026).