Udupi yakshagana artist assaulted by moneylenders

UDUPI: A young Yakshagana artist was allegedly brutally assaulted in Udupi by a moneylender over alleged payment of high interest on a loan.

The victim, Nitin Acharya, a Yakshagana artist, was assaulted by accused Sachin Amin and his father, who run a financial business and lend money at exorbitant interest rates.

Nitin Acharya, a Yakshagana artist from Sasihithlu Yakshagana Mela, was seriously injured. The accused Sachin Amin is an artist from Pavanje mela.

Nitin borrowed Rs 1,80,000 from Sachin at 20 per cent interest five years ago. Despite paying the interest regularly, Sachin accused Nitin of not paying the interest.

Nitin and Sachin were not only involved in money lending business, but also had various other business dealings. However, a disagreement arose between the two regarding the loan business led to a fight.

Sachin and his father Kushal took Nitin to their flat in Udyavara in a car, beat him up in a locked room with a bamboo stick that was used for buffalos during kambala, demanding that he pay the interest.

On the day of the assault, Nitin had participated in a Yakshagana performance. The incident has sparked outrage, and the police have registered a case against Sachin and Kushal. The Vishwakarma organisations have demanded a thorough investigation and the arrest of the accused.

A case has been registered at the Padubidri police station. This incident is the latest in a series of microfinance-related harassment and suicide cases across the state.