Daijiworld Media Network - Ramanagara

Ramanagara, Nov 3: A group of college friends had planned a getaway to Ramanagara to relax and have fun. While enjoying themselves at a swimming pool, three local men broke into the homestay where the friends were staying, resulting in an attack that ultimately took the life of one of the students.

Police in Ramanagara rural station have registered a case, and the three suspects have been arrested and taken into custody.

The incident occurred at a homestay on the outskirts of Ramanagara town, where seven young friends, including two women, were staying. The group was enjoying their time at the swimming pool when local men identified as Chandu, Nagesh, and Muruli intruded.

Chandu, one of the accused, attacked 21-year-old Puneeth with a wooden stick while he was recording a video. Puneeth collapsed on the spot and was later admitted to a private hospital in Kengeri, where he passed away on October 31.

Puneeth, from Bannerghatta in Bengaluru, was interning as a chartered accountant. His father is an auto driver, and Puneeth was associated with the RSS since his student days. He and his friend Likith arrived at the Chikkanahalli farmhouse-cum-homestay on the evening of October 26. The trouble began when Chandu tried to film the two women in the swimming pool, prompting Likith to intervene and stop him.

Chandu and the other accused then posed as police in front of the women, and a confrontation ensued. Holding a cigarette, Chandu shouted that they were members of a “women’s protection squad.”

When questioned by Puneeth and his friends, who explained that they were friends there by choice, Chandu ignored them and attacked Puneeth, resulting in his fatal injuries.

In a further twist, it was discovered that the Chikkanahalli ASP Layout homestay has no official name or license, and the tourism department lacks information on it. Conflicts reportedly occur frequently between locals and the property owner. The attackers allegedly intimidated tourists and posed in front of the women, leading to Puneeth’s tragic death.