A gang ambushed a gymnasium owner, Shrikant Reddy, in a crowded area near Aland Colony here on Thursday and attacked him with lethal weapons inflicting multiple injuries on his body.
Superintendent of Police N. Shashikumar, who visited the hospital, told presspersons that the assailant-gang was headed by a criminal who was booked under the Goondas Act two years ago.
The police also said that they had definite clues about those involved in the attack.
According to sources, Shrikant Reddy, besides his gymnasium, was running daily finance business illegally providing loans at a higher rate of interest.
Eyewitnesses said that Shrikant Reddy was attacked with lethal weapons in front of his gymnasium and the assailants chopped off fingers of his left hand after stabbing him multiple times on the face and neck.
They left their victim behind heavily bleeding before escaping from the scene.
Shrikant Reddy’s condition is said to be critical. Earlier, the victim was brought to the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital and then shifted to a private hospital where he is kept under observation in the ICU.
It was said that he would be shifted to Hyderabad for further treatment.
The police are yet to make any arrests in this connection.
Shrikant Reddy’s younger brother, Krishna Reddy, a Janata Dal(S) leader, was also attacked by a gang of unidentified assailants one-and-a-half years ago in the city.
