Man held for assaulting woman advocate

BAGALKOT: Mahantesh Cholachagudda, a trader who allegedly assaulted a woman advocate on Friday, was arrested by Bagalkot police on Sunday. The video of Mahantesh assaulting Sangeeta Sikkeri had gone viral on social media.
Police said a property dispute was said to be reason behind the assault. The accused, aged about 40, is a photographer at a Bagalkot university and runs a gift shop.In the video, he was seen kicking and slapping the woman on a road in Bagalkot town.
Sikkeri, who was admitted to a district hospital following the assault, told reporters that she stood by her statement made to the press two days ago. “My uncle sold the house without our knowledge to a person who was forcing us to vacate the house using his political influence though the dispute is in court. We suspect the same person is behind this incident,” she said.
Advocates in Bagalkot said that none of them will argue in favour of Mahantesh. They are expected to hold a dharna on Monday, condemning the assault on the advocate.