Bengaluru: 9 held for assault on Sikh family

Bengaluru: The Hulimavu police have arrested nine people who had assaulted a retired Sikh army officer’s family and allegedly ‘threatened them to vacate’ the area.

Though the incident took place on May 13 and the arrest was made later, it gained prominence on August 2 when Col (retd) R.S. Uppal wrote a letter to Akal Takht. He requested them to use its influence on the Karnataka government to provide him justice. It was then brought to the notice of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his official Twitter handle. In his letter Col Uppal had stated that his son was “brutally assaulted and he suffered multiple facial fractures and a broken jaw. He was also hit in the chest, head, back, and limbs. My younger son Harpreet Uppal also got similar injuries in the attack.”

Uppal had tiff with neighbours: Police
But the city police have a different version. A senior police officer said Col Uppal had a fight with his neighbours over a petty issue which later turned awry. “It’s actually a petty issue and not how it has been made to appear. Col Uppal had a fight with his neighbours on May 13 when his neighbours questioned him for blocking the passage by putting flower pots. This led to quarrel after which his neighbours assaulted him. Following a complaint from Col. Uppal on May 13, an FIR was lodged and nine people were arrested within a week from the assault. That’s all we could do. I don't understand why he has written to the Akal Takht seeking justice,” a police officer said.

“Safety of people is our responsibility. If anyone feels he or she is being harassed or targeted, they can come to us, we will certainly take action,” he added.