3 assaulted, given shocks, 1 dead

A 20-year-old youth was killed and two others were grievously injured after a landowner and his associates assaulted them and subjected them to electric shocks at Munnekolala on Monday night.

Basu Reddy (50) suspected the trio had stolen copper wires and a motor pump. Basheer-ul-Sheikh, the deceased, was from Karimpur in Bengal.

The two injured are Ajmal Sheikh (22) from Pollachi, Tamil Nadu and Asif-ul-Sheik alias Banti (19), from Murshidabad, Bengal.

Basheer had come to the city six months ago with his pregnant wife and mother. His wife delivered a male child 10 days ago.

Reddy is into water business, selling borewell water to houses in nearby colonies

According to eye-witnesses, the victims were tortured till Basheer was declared dead by a local doctor at midnight.

Reddy and his associates barged into the shanties. Finding the stolen items there, the gang started assaulting the trio. They beat us using sticks, wires and hosepipes. They subjected our arms and legs to electric shocks using wires,” said Ajmal.

They accused us of stealing wires and a water pump, but that is not true. But three of Reddy’s associates (also Bengalis), staying in the same shanties, had stolen the items, Ajmal said. Asif’s condition is said to be critical, Ajmal is out of danger. “The post-mortem report will reveal the actual cause of death - electric shock or the assault,” said a senior police officer. Upon inquiry, police discovered the copper wires do not belong to Reddy.

“We suspect the role of Syed Ullah, Meibullah and Mittu - all Bengalis who are absconding,” the officer said. A case of murder, attempt to murder and assault has been registered by the Marathahalli police.

DH News Service