MANGALURU: A youth was stripped to his underwear, tied to a pole at a busy intersection and beaten up in Mangaluru on Monday.
The attack was carried out by a Hindu fringe group on a young couple who were going in an SUV. The group, who learnt that the couple belonged to different communities, chased the car and intercepted it.
The victim who was beaten up by the group was identified as Ali (name changed).
According to sources, Ali (30), who was employed in a supermarket located in Attavar, was going in his vehicle with his colleague, who hails from Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru district.
On noticing this, the group waylaid the car at Babugudda in Attavar and dragged them both out of the car. They then assaulted them badly, sources said.
While the girl managed to escape, the group partially stripped Ali and tied him to an electric pole.
When Pandeshwar police was informed about the incident, they rushed to the spot and rescued Ali.
Four people were detained for questioning. Ali denied of any illicit relationship with the girl and alleged in his complaint that the group assaulted him for being seen with the girl.