Man kidnapped over unpaid interest of loan, tortured for four days in Karnataka
Haveri (Karnataka): In a shocking incident, a man was allegedly kidnapped, brutally assaulted, and tortured for four days over unpaid interest on a Rs 70,000 loan, with the accused pouring urine into his mouth in Bankapura town of Shiggaon taluk in Haveri district, police officials said on Monday.
The victim has been identified as Manikantha Halavalli, who was working at a bakery.
The Bankapura police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident and taken up the investigation. According to the FIR, Manikantha Halavalli borrowed Rs 70,000 and was paying Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 as interest every month. He was also required to pay interest on a weekly basis.
However, he had reportedly failed to pay the interest for the past few weeks, following which the accused allegedly targeted him and subjected him to inhumane treatment.
The incident took place on October 16, when the accused allegedly took Manikantha to an isolated place and held him captive. His hands and legs were tied, and he was confined for four days. During this period, the accused assaulted him with wooden logs and pipes and burnt him with cigarettes.
In a particularly disturbing act, the accused allegedly poured urine into his mouth while continuing to torture him over the unpaid interest amount.
Manikantha managed to escape from the clutches of the accused on October 20 and approached the police to lodge a complaint.
He told the police that he had no personal enmity with the accused and alleged that the assault was linked to the loan and the pending interest payments.
The accused have been identified as Manjunatha Katti, Naveen Hanagal, Ganesh Swadhi and Sunil Katti.
The incident has raised concerns over the use of violence and intimidation to recover loans and interest payments.
The police are investigating the circumstances leading to the alleged kidnapping and assault, including the role of each of the accused.
The victim is being treated at the district hospital.
Further details are awaited.