Bantwal: In a shocking incident, a photojournalist, who is also identified as a BJP worker, was seriously injured in an attack at his photo studio on Wednesday night.
The victim is identified as Dinesh Kottinje, owner of a Trisha Studio in Farangipet and photojournalist with Hosa Digantha.
According to reports, Dinesh was attacked by four men aged between 19 and 22 years at around 7.15 PM on Wednesday. Allegedly under the pretence of wanting their pictures taken, the perpetrators reportedly entered the photo studio at around 7.05 PM and waited for the customers to leave. They then proceeded to take out the machetes that they had allegedly hidden under their shirts and attacked Dinesh. He is said to have suffered injuries to his head, right arm and the left side of his torso.
A customer, who was also present and threw a chair at the miscreants, was also injured in the attack. He sustained minor injuries to his arms. The attackers fled the scene when people began gathering at the scene.
The police were alerted by the neighbouring shop owners who heard screams coming from Trisha Studio.
Both the injured men were rushed to AJ Hospital and are currently receiving treatment.
Three men – Arshad (19), Mohammed Saifuddin (22) and Abdul Rehman (22) – were arrested by the Bantwal Police on Thursday in connection with the attack and they are on the lookout for the fourth perpetrator, who has been identified as 22-year-old Savaad.
Political rivalry and communalism have been ruled out as motive behind the attack. They informed that the attack was allegedly carried out as revenge in connection with a recent rape case.
According to the police, a woman was recently raped in Kumpanamanjalu. Her family was visited by Dinesh, who offered to help them with the case. “The four men are believed to have been connected to the accused in the rape case. They decided to retaliate when they found out that Dinesh was helping the victim’s family,” they added.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the accused under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 351 (assault), 325 (causing grievous hurt), 326 (causing grievous hurt with a deadly weapon) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
