Man abducted in a case of mistaken identity, assaulted

The Byadarahalli police are on the lookout for a gang, who in a case of mistaken identity, abducted a man and assaulted him in broad daylight at Nagarahole Circle in Byadarahalli police limits on March 24.

The accused, who were armed with lethal weapons and arrived in an autorickshaw, were reportedly targeting a man identified as Nataraj alias Nata. However, in a case of mistaken identity, they abducted Sharath Krishne Gowda, who was having tea with a friend at the spot. Despite Sharath insisting that he was not Nataraj, the gang allegedly assaulted him and forcibly bundled him into the autorickshaw before fleeing the scene.

After the abduction, the accused reportedly used Sharath’s mobile phone to call his sister and verbally abused her using derogatory language. Sources said the gang later checked the victim’s phone and realised he was not the person they were looking for. They subsequently released him midway and fled.

Sharath, who was left traumatised by the ordeal, has lodged a complaint at the Byadarahalli Police Station. An FIR has been registered, and the police have launched a manhunt to trace and arrest the accused. The police have registered a case of assault for further investigation. The entire act was captured by a passer-by and went viral on social media, causing public outcry.

In his complaint, Sharath stated he was standing near a roadside tea stall along with his friend Chintan when three unknown persons approached them. One of the accused enquired if he was “Nata”. Sharath clarified that his name was not Nata, but the accused allegedly accused him of being the son of a person named Nataraj and suddenly assaulted him. The attackers then forcibly dragged him into a nearby passenger autorickshaw and allegedly assaulted him. One of the accused is said to have taken out a knife and used its blunt side to hit the victim on his shoulder, legs, and other parts, causing injuries that bled.