Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 5: In connection with an incident in which a gang had attacked a youth from Udupi when he was speaking to a girl belonging to another religion at Forum Mall in the city, Pandeshwar station police have taken into custody five persons, said to activists of Bajrang Dal.

The arrested accused are Chetan (23) from Kunjathbail in the city, Rakshit Kumar (21) from Sringeri, Ashwin Raj (21) from Kanduka here, Sushant Shetty (23) from Karkala, and Sharat Kumar (20) from Car Street here.

It is said that Harshad (21) from Udupi had come to Forum Fiza Mall here on April 3 along with a girl. A gang of Bajrang Dal activists reached the mall soon afterwards and sent the girl away. Thereafter, the youth was led outside before beating him up, it is said. The gang had also asked the girl to go away.

The girl called the youth over cellphone thereafter. As she did not get any response, she complained about the incident to Pandeshwar police here. The police who investigated the matter, arrested five persons. Some more are on the run, it is learnt. The policemen are continuing with their investigation relating to the episode.