BENGALURU: A man armed with a pickaxe attempted to vandalise the statue of former chief minister R Gundu Rao at Shantala Circle, injuring an assistant sub-inspector who tried to stop him. Police have arrested Veerabadra, 35, a native of Ballari who had come to the city to work as a labourer.The incident occurred between 11.30am and 11.45am Monday. ASI Venkataswamy TV, of Cottonpet police station, and constable Yamanappa Madar were on Hoysala patrol duty when, around 11.30am, a passerby alerted them about a man attempting to vandalise the statue at Shantala Circle. The officers rushed to the spot and found Veerabadra, shirtless, climbing the statue with a pickaxe and attempting to damage it. When asked to come down, he turned aggressive, hurling abuse at police and bystanders, and tried to attack them with the weapon. During the scuffle, Venkataswamy sustained an injury to his face.With the help of members of the public, the cops used ropes and wooden logs to pull the man down and overpower him, before managing to snatch the pickaxe. The accused was taken into custody, even as some members of the public assaulted him.During interrogation, police found that Veerabadra was under the influence of alcohol and had no clear motive for the act. Venkataswamy received treatment at a private hospital. The accused is in judicial custody now. tnn
