Two youths, allegedly involved in heinous offences, including a murder attempt on a BJP leader, were attacked with lethal weapons by a gang of five men on K S R Rao Road here on Tuesday morning.
Bodda Latheef alias Latheef Kallapu (35) sustained serious injuries on both his legs and neck and is now recuperating at a private hospital, sources said. His friend Nazeer Pavoor (35) suffered minor injuries while fleeing from the scene.
The duo had deposed before the Second Additional Sessions Court in connection with the murder attempt on BJP leader Chandrahas Ucchil.
Police sources said Latheef is an accused in three murder cases, including the murder of Polali Ananthu. Pavoor is accused of three murder attempts. Pavoor said he noticed the gang of attackers loitering on the court premises on Tuesday morning. The duo initially thought they were regular visitors but understood something was amiss when their scooter was knocked down outside the court. "Two of the attackers knocked down our scooter.But we got up and started running. I took shelter behind a police van and managed to escape the brutal assault," Pavoor told reporters.
According to the police, the gang chased Latheef from the court to K S Rao Road and attacked him near a road divider when he slowed down to cross the road. One of them threw an unused knife on the road before fleeing from the spot.
The police said the assault was pre-planned but expressed confidence in tracing the accused as live visuals of the Latheef being chased were captured on mobile phones by onlookers. Mangalore North police have registered a case and are investigating.