Man assaulted for protesting tree felling; three booked in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Jayanagar police have booked three people for allegedly attacking a man who objected to their felling of a tree near his house, officials said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on October 9 at 1.30 pm when the victim, Sathish Reddy, 49, was at his house in Jayanagar, 6th Block. He saw the suspects cutting a tall, strong tree near his home, the FIR noted.

Reddy stepped outside and questioned them and was allegedly abused by the suspects.

Then Ganesh, who was named accused 1, came to the spot, claimed to be an aide of BJP leader NR Ramesh, and, with his helmet, attacked Reddy and injured him. Reddy’s son came to his rescue while the other two suspects, Chandra and Aiyappa, shoved them around.

Police have booked the trio under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).

Counter FIR 

Another FIR was also filed by the police the same day, where Ganesh alleged that two residents asked him to trim the tree, citing health issues caused by worms.

Ganesh claimed that he had informed the forest department to trim only the dangerous branches. He alleged that Reddy and his son objected to the pruning and assaulted him with a helmet and a cane.

Further probe is underway, police said.