Man chops friend’s hand over political differences in Sakleshpur village

HASSAN: A man struck a massive blow on his friend’s hand with a machete over political differences at Hoskavalli village in Sakleshpur taluk on Sunday night.

The accused has been identified as Ramesh, a resident of Hoskavalli Koppalu village, while the victim is his friend Gurumurthy from neighbouring Hoskavalli. The two were reportedly talking about some financial issues at JP Nagar in Ballupet. Ramesh had taken a loan of Rs 85,000 from Gurumurthy and the latter asked him to return the money.

The conversation then veered to political issues. Ramesh is a supporter of the JDS, while Gurumurthy is a booth-level president of the BJP. Ramesh came to Hoskavalli village in a car and called Gurumurthy, saying that he was near his house and had come to return his money. Gurumurthy came out of the house and the two were talking about which party will win locally when, in a fit of anger, Ramesh attacked Gurumurthy with a machete.

Gurumurthy claimed that Ramesh actually aimed at his neck, but he fended off the attack with his left arm and sustained serious injuries. He was immediately admitted to a private hospital in Hassan and acase has been registered at the Sakleshpur police station.

“I had lent Ramesh some money and I had asked him to return it. When we met on Sunday evening, we talked about many things and had a discussion about politics too. We then got into a fight and some locals intervened after which I took an autorickshaw and returned home. Some time later, he called to say he would return the money and called me near a temple. When I reached there, he attacked me with a machete. I started screaming and the villagers rushed to my aid, but he escaped in his car. I have complained about him to the police, but he is not arrested. He has been admitted to a hospital and has claimed that I attacked him. He should be punished”, insisted Gurumurthy.

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Gurumurthy also alleged that Ramesh has at least four other cases against him for rosewood smuggling, rape among other charges.