A violent street assault in Bengaluru's Banashankari area early Saturday morning has exposed a bitter six-year-old feud that began behind bars. The incident left a 27-year-old former inmate with a severe head injury after being struck with a stone by a rival from his prison days.
Roots of the Conflict: A Prison Dispute and a Bribe
The victim, identified as Sridhar (also known as Sakkare), resides in Janshakthinagar, Hosakerehalli. His alleged attackers are Dhanush (alias Dadiya), along with his associates Kantharaj and another accomplice. According to Sridhar's police complaint, the hostility dates back to 2019 when both he and Dhanush were incarcerated at Central Prison in connection with an attempted murder case.
A minor dispute between the two inmates led prison authorities to punish them by confining them together in a command room. To secure their release from this confinement and return to the regular barracks, both men allegedly paid a bribe of Rs 10,000 each to prison officials. While this resolved the immediate issue, it sowed seeds of lasting resentment.
The Street Attack: Revenge in the Early Hours
After their release, Sridhar's family sent him to their native village in Mandya district for safety. He had recently returned to Bengaluru but was living separately from his mother and sister. On the night of the attack, December 13, around 1:45 AM, Sridhar had visited his family in Janshakthinagar following his sister's delivery. He stepped out for a cigarette near a public water unit when Dhanush spotted him.
Dhanush, reportedly still angered over the bribe he had to pay due to their past altercation, began verbally abusing Sridhar. He then, along with his two friends, physically assaulted him, pushing him to the ground. The situation escalated brutally when Dhanush picked up a large stone and smashed it on Sridhar's head. His friends joined in, kicking the injured man and hurling insults. Despite bleeding profusely, Sridhar managed to escape, and his family rushed him to a hospital for treatment.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Girinagar police have registered a formal case under Section 109 (attempted murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on Sridhar's complaint. Law enforcement officials have detained several suspects for questioning as part of their active investigation into the violent episode.
This case highlights how conflicts originating within the prison system can spill over into public spaces, posing a continued threat to community safety long after sentences are served.
