Hindu man thrashed after being spotted with Muslim friend's wife in Karnataka

A Hindu man went to speak to his neighbour's wife at his friend's request to help resolve a domestic dispute. However, he was allegedly beaten up by a group of Muslim youths.

A young Hindu man in Karnataka’s Koppal was allegedly assaulted by a mob while attempting to mediate a domestic dispute involving his Muslim neighbour, by speaking to his wife.

The victim, Venkatesh, had reportedly gone to help resolve a disagreement between his friend Azeer and Azeer’s wife, Afiya, who had left home with her children after a quarrel. At Azeer’s request, Venkatesh went to the bus stand to persuade her to return.

However, while he was speaking to Afiya and her children, a group of Muslim youths allegedly confronted and assaulted him, reportedly suspecting misconduct. Police said Venkatesh and the family had known each other for over 15 years and were neighbours in the same village.

“He was assaulted because he was with a Muslim family who are his neighbours. They have known each other for the past 15 years. The neighbouring family had gone to the bus stop; the mother, the girl, and her son were there, and the boy was also with them,” Koppal Superintendent of Police, Ram L Arasiddi, said.

Despite locals informing the group that Venkatesh was from the same village, the assault allegedly continued. Police also stated that the attackers allegedly robbed him of his money and mobile phone.

Some of the accused are alleged to be members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which has been linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).