Interfaith paranoia turns violent: Hindu man beaten despite villagers pleading for mercy

Mob violence erupts in Karnataka as a Hindu man is beaten despite locals clarifying he had no improper relationship

February 5, 2026

Locals intervened to clarify misunderstanding, but assault continued, complaint alleges

Peacemaker Attacked: What Really Happened at Koppal Bus Stand

A Hindu man was brutally assaulted by a group of men in Karnataka’s Koppal district after he was falsely suspected of being in a relationship with a Muslim woman, police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Basantgarh area when the victim, identified as Venkatesh, was seen at a local bus stand with a Muslim woman and her children. According to the police complaint, the presence was misconstrued by a group of men who allegedly attacked him without verifying the facts.

Helping a family friend

Police investigations have revealed that Venkatesh had gone to the bus stand at the request of Azmeer, a resident of Basapattana village and the woman’s husband. The couple had reportedly had a domestic dispute, following which the woman, Afia, left the house with her children.

Azmeer allegedly asked Venkatesh—his neighbour and a long-time family acquaintance—to speak to Afia and persuade her to return home. Acting on that request, Venkatesh went to meet her at the bus stand, where she was preparing to travel to her mother’s house along with her daughter and son.

Mob assault despite clarification

While Venkatesh was speaking to Afia, a group of men noticed them together and allegedly assumed that he was having an affair with her. Without confirming the circumstances, they allegedly launched a violent assault on him.

Several local residents, who were aware of the family relationship between the two, reportedly intervened and pleaded with the attackers, explaining that Venkatesh was only helping at the request of the woman’s husband. However, the assailants allegedly ignored the explanations and continued to beat him.

Police said the victim sustained serious injuries in the assault.

Case registered, tensions flare

Following the incident, police registered a case against Azmeer, Khajafeer, Indrawali, and other unidentified individuals based on Venkatesh’s complaint. Officials confirmed that the families involved had known each other for over 15 years and that there was no evidence of any improper relationship.

However, tensions escalated after the case was filed, with several members of the Muslim community gathering outside the police station and demanding that a counter-complaint be registered against Venkatesh. Visuals from the scene showed heated arguments, including one individual gesturing threateningly at police personnel.

Police said they managed to control the situation and that an investigation is ongoing.

Incident raises concerns over mob vigilantism

The assault has triggered fresh concerns over mob vigilantism and the increasing tendency to resort to violence based on suspicion rather than facts. The incident also comes amid heightened sensitivity around interfaith interactions, particularly in public spaces.

Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the assault and that law and order will be maintained in the area.

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