Police visited Godchi village near Ramdurg in Belagavi district on Monday after reports surfaced that a 25-year-old man was assaulted by villagers over allegations of harassing a woman.
Videos of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed Vithal Naikar tied to a tree and beaten by villagers, including the woman’s relatives.
According to police, the villagers accused him of teasing and stalking the woman. They claimed to have counselled him earlier, but he allegedly ignored their warnings.
The man was reportedly brought to the village by a friend and attacked in front of a crowd. Police sources added that there has been a long-standing land dispute between the two families.
Based on a complaint, Katakol Police registered a case against eight individuals, Eeranna Parakanatti, Basanagouda Patil, Pradeep Pakkanatti, Mahantesh Pakkanatti, Sachin Pakkanatti, Ningaraj Pakkanatti and Sangappa Pakkanatti.
The investigation is ongoing.
