A 41-year-old fruit vendor in Bengaluru survived a brutal assault after a group of men allegedly attacked him with iron straps 68 times in the middle of a road.
The victim, Santosh R—also known as Hotte Hasi—from Agrahara Dasarahalli, was reportedly attacked by Suresh and his associates.
According to police, Santosh is among the accused in the murder of Suresh’s elder brother, Mohan, which took place last year. Authorities believe the attack was linked to that case.
The assault occurred on the evening of March 9. Earlier that day, Santosh had appeared before a court in Kollegal where the murder trial is currently underway. After the hearing, he had boarded a bus and was walking home after getting down from a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus.
Investigators said Suresh and three of his associates—identified as Sharat, Ravi and Manja—were drinking at a bar when Suresh spotted Santosh passing by.
“Memories of his murdered brother came back to him. Suresh pointed Santosh out to the others and narrated the story. The four then decided to attack him,” an investigating officer said.
According to police, two of the attackers left the bar carrying an empty beer bottle while the other two picked up metal straps from a nearby hardware shop.
The group allegedly assaulted Santosh 68 times with the iron straps. When he collapsed on the road, the attackers reportedly danced before fleeing the scene.
Santosh was later rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
