Date:02/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/02/stories/2007010219940300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Man stabbed, two injured by mob

Staff Reporter

He tried to save a woman from being molested

BANGALORE: A 25-year-old man was killed and two of his friends were injured for reportedly saving a woman from being molested in Wilson Garden on New Year's Eve.

The attack took place around midnight in a busy locality close to a police station. But nobody reportedly came to the rescue of the victims, witnesses told The Hindu . Many in the locality were reluctant to discuss the incident. The victim, Sherry, along with his friends Alex and Naveen were having snacks at a bakery on 14th Cross when they saw three people allegedly attempting to molest a woman across the road. They rushed to rescue the woman from the three men who appeared in an inebriated state and were conversing in Tamil.

Argument

An argument ensued and the three men left only to return in half an hour accompanied by a mob of 50 people armed with machetes, knives and sticks, said witnesses. The mob attacked Sherry and his friends.

Alex and Naveen managed to escape while Sherry received stab injuries. He was rushed to St. John's Hospital where he died. Alex is in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

"I heard Alex screaming for help. But none came forward. The incident happened in the full public glare," a boy staying in the locality said.

When The Hindu contacted Naveen, he said: "Please do not disturb me. I am not willing to talk about the incident." Naveen's voice sounded feeble and fearful.

The woman who was targeted was reportedly a Nepali who stays in the same locality, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) G.B. Chebbi said the police suspected involvement of a gang. "Our people are working on it and the assailants will be caught," he said.