A youth was today beaten up by passersby when he harassed a 12-year old girl by pulling her hand.

The girl was going to a shop on Nanjappa Road this morning, when the youth came from the opposite direction and pulled her hand, and reportedly tried to molest her, police said.

Hearing the screams of the girl, the passersby caught hold of the youth, beat him up and rescued the girl.

Identified as hailing from Selvapuram in the city and found to be mentally disturbed, the youth was handed over to nearby police station.

Since the girl’s parents were not willing to lodge a complaint, police let the youth go after a stern warning.