MLC's relative arrested for assaulting restaurant staffer

A 22-year-old employee at a restaurant was brutally assaulted by a gang of six men at Vydehi Hotel in Madanayak anahalli last Tuesday.

The prime suspect, who was arrested on Friday, is said to be a relative of E Krishnappa, a member of the State Legislative Council (MLC).

The police identified the suspect as Mahesh, 23, son of Muniraju, a real estate dealer from Adakamaranahalli. Five others are absconding. The victim, Ravi, is said to be in a critical condition and is being treated at a private hospital.

On Tuesday, around 11.30 pm, Mahesh and his five friends went to Vydehi Hotel in an inebriated state. They asked the restaurant staff to serve them food. But the staff declined, saying  the restaurant had closed for the day.

The youths left the spot but returned minutes later demanding that they be served fruits. But Ravi, who was swabbing the floor, said the fruit section too had closed.

The suspect told Ravi they were from an influential background, but he brushed him off. Mahesh started thrashing Ravi with an iron rod. His friends too joined him and assaulted Ravi who fell down as he suffered severe head injuries and the suspects fled the spot.

The other employees of the restaurant alerted the police and rushed Ravi to a nearby hospital. The police arrested Mahesh from his house in Adakamaranahalli.