Dec. 2: An old and visually challenged Muslim man identified as Hussainsab was tortured and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by two unidentified bikers in Gangavati town of Karnataka’s Koppal district. An FIR has been lodged after the victim complained on November 30.
As per media reports, the victim lives in a small house with his daughter in Gangavati. Because of his poor eyesight, he had been begging at places like Koppal and Vijayanagar.
On November 25, Hussainsab had returned to Gangavati from Hosapete. While he was waiting for an autorickshaw, two unidentified motorcyclists offered him a lift. On the way both of them started assaulting Hussainsab and verbally abused him. They also burned his beard and forced him to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, according to the complaint. He was then admitted to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
Hussainsab, in the complaint, said that the youths, not only abused him, but also made derogatory comments against his community. “They intended to kill me. They assaulted me with a beer bottle and were trying to smash my head with a stone. Shepherds in the neighborhood came to my rescue,” he said in the complaint.
An FIR has been registered, and police have begun the investigation. CCTV footage near the bus stand and main roads in Pampanagar area is all being checked, according to a report.
