An alleged act of moral policing escalated into a violent attack with a group of youths allegedly chasing a businessman and his female friend from a lakeside to a battery manufacturing unit in Doddaballapura, storming the factory, assaulting the couple with deadly weapons, vandalising property, and molesting the woman.

Police have detained four accused in connection with the incident.

The incident occurred on the night of July 26 in Bashettihalli Industrial Area under the jurisdiction of Doddaballapura Rural Police Station, about 50 km north of Bengaluru.

According to police, Aravinda Bharadhwaj, a Rajasthan native who operates a unit in Veerapura Industrial Area, was sitting inside a car and talking with a female friend, near K.G. Kuntehalli lake when a group of locals allegedly confronted them, and questioned why they were there.

As the duo left the spot and drove towards the industrial area, their car allegedly brushed against a motorcycle, triggering an argument. Enraged, the group allegedly pursued the car to the industrial area.

Police said around 30 persons allegedly barged into the manufacturing unit after breaking open the gate, pelted the car with cement blocks, damaged CCTV cameras and other property, and assaulted Aravinda, his business partner Anupam Kumar, employees and others with machetes, clubs and knives. The assailants allegedly dragged and molested his female friend before fleeing after issuing death threats.

Aravinda sustained injuries to his head, right hand and leg, while Anupam Kumar suffered knife injuries and multiple abrasions. Several employees sustained minor injuries. Aravinda is undergoing treatment in a private hospital.

Based on Aravinda’s complaint, Doddaballapura Rural Police registered a complaint under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Harsha, Bharath, Sandeep, Timmaraju, Abhi, Latif, and others.

Police have taken four accused into custody and are trying to trace the remaining suspects.

Published - July 29, 2026 04:38 pm IST