HUBBALLI: A 23-year-old gym trainer was allegedly assaulted on Friday after being taken away by a group following a confrontation linked to his relationship with a girl here, police said.
The incident occurred within the limits of the Old Hubballi police station.
The youth, identified as Sameer Mulla, sustained injuries in the assault and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said.
City Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said the incident stemmed from a personal dispute between two families and was not related to 'love jihad', as alleged by certain groups.
Speaking to the media, he said the incident took place between 8 am and 9 am, when a group of people went to the youth's house, leading to a confrontation.
During the altercation, the youth was taken away and later brought to a police station.
"It was found that the issue was related to a relationship between the youth and a girl. The girl's family members had come to threaten the boy," he said.
He added that after the youth was taken away, his family members went to the girl's house, where another confrontation took place.
"There was some friction at both places. The boy has now been rescued and is undergoing treatment for minor injuries," he said.
Responding to allegations by Hindutva organisations, terming the case as 'love jihad', the Commissioner said it was a personal dispute.
"For us, it is a criminal case, and we will investigate accordingly," he said, adding that appropriate cases would be registered based on complaints received.
Sameer's sister, Taiseem Mulla, alleged that her brother was forcibly taken away and assaulted by a group and demanded strict action against those involved.
She said that around 7 am, a large group came to their house and took her brother away.
The family searched for him but could not trace him for nearly two hours, she claimed, adding that he was later found and admitted to the hospital with injuries.
According to her, Sameer and the girl had been in a relationship for the past three years.
She also alleged that photos and videos of the duo were circulated in a group before the incident.
Refuting allegations of 'love jihad', she said the family respects all religions and only seeks justice for her brother.
The term 'love Jihad' is used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into relationships and marriage to convert them to Islam.
However, the girl's mother, Rajeshwari, alleged that her daughter had been "hypnotised and harassed" by Sameer and his family.
She claimed that Sameer had misled her daughter and denied that any relationship existed between them.
"My daughter has been hypnotised. There is no relationship between my daughter and Sameer," she alleged.
Rajeshwari further claimed that Sameer and his family had been harassing her daughter for the past four to five days.
"Today, they came to our house with the intention of setting it on fire. They brought petrol, hockey sticks and swords and attacked us," she alleged.
Police said an investigation has been launched and that allegations made by both sides are being examined.