Mangaluru: In an alleged incident of moral policing, a 17-year-old student was reportedly assaulted and intimidated by a group of men during a local fair of a temple in Belthangady, after objections were raised over his presence with girls from another faith.According to police, the minor boy, a student from a private institution in Belthangady police limits, went to a local fair of a temple with his school friends on the evening of March 11. During this time, some individuals present at the fair objected to the boy — from a different religion — attending the event. They also objected to him visiting the fair along with girls from a different faith.The accused allegedly assaulted the boy and verbally abused him. They then forcibly took him away from the fair on a motorcycle to a different location, where he was again assaulted. The group also compelled the boy to record a video statement claiming that he had made a mistake by coming to the fair.Following the incident, the boy remained traumatised and fearful for several days. His father later approached the police and lodged a complaint on March 18.Based on the complaint, a case has been registered at Belthangady station under sections 137(2), 115(2), 351(2), 352, 353(2), along with Section 190 of the BNS.
