Bengaluru: A Northeast student residing in Bengaluru was allegedly thrashed by his landlord over usage of water and was also forced to lick his shoes.
Higio Gungtey (22) from Himachal Pradesh was allegedly assaulted by his landlord Hemanth Kumar on March 6 over an argument over the usage of water. It is said that other tenants in the same building complained of water shortage due to excessive use of water by Gungtey.
Gungtey narrating the incident, said, “The owner who was drunk when the incident occurred, banged the door, locked it and without any reason, started beating me up. He also made me lick his shoes and threatened to take me to police. He hit me continuously, I was bleeding,” he told the police.
Gungtey said that the landlord is facing multiple charges including assault, criminal intimidation and is out on bail.
However, the police are probing if there is racist angle to the incident and if proved they have promised the city North East community that the accused will face additional charges.
Hemant Nimbalkar, Additional Commissioner of Police, said, “We have registered the case. We will further investigate the matter. “
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju commenting on the incident, has tweeted, “Saddening. My office is pursuing this case. When we are talking of safety of Indians abroad such incidents in our country are very saddening.”
