Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Nov 5: A recently-married person, who had gone to his in-laws' place to bring his wife back, suffered murderous assault at the hands of his wife's relatives. His hands and legs were bound before an indiscriminate assault was launched against him with lethal weapons. The incident occurred at Kammaradi in Thirthahalli, Shivamogga district on Wednesday November 4 afternoon.

The victim of this senseless attack, identified as Udayakumar (32) from the town, stands admitted into the district government hospital at Ajjarkad, Udupi.

Udaya had been in love with Sushma from Kammaradi, Thirthahalli, since the last eight years. Their marriage was registered in the office of the sub-registrar last month. The two also got married in a traditional way at Goddess Mookambika temple at Kollur here two weeks back, it is said. After marriage, Sushma had been to her parental home to spend a few days with her parents.

On Tuesday night, Udayakumar received call from Sushma. She asked her husband to come to her house on Wednesday morning and escort her back to the town. Udaya caught a bus starting from the town at 6.30 am and reached Thirthahalli. He went to the home of his in-laws at about 12 pm, and saw that Sushma was waiting for him outside her house, it is said. As soon as he came, Sushma held his hand and led him inside the house. As soon as he was taken towards the backdoor, people identified as Dinesh, Naveen, Sahtish and some others, who were hiding with rods, sickles and other lethal weapons in their hands, bound his limbs with ropes and hit him all over his body.

Udaya suffered serious injuries to his head, face, both the hands, abdomen region, and both his legs. Unable to move, he was lying there for sometime,it is said, after which the accused admitted him into a hospital at Thirthahalli before absconding. Local police then sent him to the town by an ambulance. He was admitted into the government hospital here where first aid was extended. He was later sent to the district hospital at Udupi. In a case registered in the police station here, Udaya could identify three of the accused, adding that he does not recognize the other attackers. Local police circle inspector, P M Diwakar, visited the hospital and collected details.

Udaya had married once in the past, and had a baby from that relationship. After the relationship turned sour, his wife had divorced him and gone way with her child. Sushma too had married in the past, and was living with her parents after abandoning her husband, it is learnt. She had come to the town two weeks ago, stayed with Udaya in his rented home, and married him. Although her relatives registered a case of abduction against Udaya, nothing could be done as he had entered into registered marriage with her. Udaya's brother, Dharmendra, has alleged that angry over this development, Sushma's relatives drew up a plan to invite him to Thirthahalli so that they could take revenge on him.