Pramesh S Jain
An alleged act of moral policing escalated into a violent attack after a group of local youths allegedly chased a businessman and his woman friend from a lakeside to a battery manufacturing unit in Doddaballapura,stormed the factory,assaulted them with deadly weapons, vandalised property and allegedly molested the woman. Police have detained four accused in connection with the incident.
The incident occurred on the night of July 26 in Bashettihalli Industrial Area under the jurisdiction of Doddaballapura Rural Police Station.
According to police,Aravinda Bharadhwaj,a Rajasthan native who runs Mini Mines Cleen Tech Solution Pvt. Ltd. in Veerapura Industrial Area,was sitting inside a car and talking with his friend Jyothi Chouhan near KG Kuntehalli Lake when a group of locals allegedly confronted them and questioned why they were there.
As the duo left the spot and drove towards the factory, their car allegedly brushed against a motorcycle, triggering an argument.Enraged, the group allegedly chased the car to the factory.
Police said around 30 to 40 persons then allegedly barged into the company premises after breaking open the gate,pelted the car with cement blocks,damaged CCTV cameras and other property,and assaulted Aravinda,his business partner Anupam Kumar, employees and others using machetes, longs,clubs and knives.
The assailants also allegedly dragged and molested Jyothi Chouhan before fleeing after issuing death threats.
Aravinda sustained injuries to his head,right hand and leg,while Anupam Kumar suffered knife injuries and multiple abrasions.
Several employees also sustained minor injuries. Aravinda is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Based on Aravinda’s complaint,Doddaballapura Rural Police registered case under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Harsha,Bharath, Sandeep,Timmaraju,Abhi,Latif and others.
Police have taken four accused into custody,while efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects. Further investigation is in progress.
