A 22-year-old youth from Hubballi, Karnataka, has alleged that he was abducted and assaulted by suspected right-wing activists after he went for lunch with his Hindu girlfriend near the outskirts of the city.
Youth Claims He Was Mistaken for Muslim
The victim, Sharaveen Jogul, a resident of Basel Mission Compound in Hubballi, filed a complaint at the Hubballi Rural Police Station, saying the attack took place on Friday when he and his girlfriend went to a dhaba near Anchattageri.
According to Sharaveen, a group of around 8 to 10 people, including a woman, approached them and demanded to see their Aadhaar cards.
“When we refused to show our Aadhaar cards, they suspected me of being a Muslim,” Sharaveen told reporters.
He said the group allegedly forced him into a vehicle and took him to a shed near Siddharoodha Math, where he was beaten for several hours.
“They Beat Me Even After I Said I Am Christian”
Sharaveen said he told the attackers that he was a Christian, but claimed the assault continued.
“When I said I am a Christian, they assaulted me further. They beat me till evening,” he said.
He also alleged that his girlfriend was taken separately in another vehicle and forced to record video statements against him.
“They made false allegations against me and forced me to say in a video that I had harassed other women,” he said.
Sharaveen further claimed the attackers threatened his mother over the phone and demanded ₹5 lakh to “settle” the matter.
Couple Was in Relationship for Two Years
Sharaveen said he has been in a relationship with the woman for the past two years and that both families were aware of their relationship.
“We have been together for two years. She is from Dharwad and belongs to another community. Even her parents support us,” he said.
The incident has raised questions about vigilante-style intervention in personal relationships, especially when involving people from different religious or community backgrounds.
Police Register Case, Two Arrested
Sharaveen, who suffered injuries in the attack, is currently undergoing treatment at KMC RI Hospital.
Senior police officials, including Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya, DYSP Vinod Muktedar and Rural Inspector Murugesh Channannavar, visited the hospital and recorded his statement.
Speaking to the media, SP Gunjan Arya said, “The incident allegedly took place between 3:30 pm and 7 pm on Friday. A case has been registered at Hubballi Rural Police Station.”
She confirmed that two people have been arrested in connection with the case, while police are searching for the remaining accused.
“We cannot reveal the identities of the arrested persons at this stage in the interest of law and order,” she said.
