A 23-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly beaten up by a group of men from the community on the outskirts of Karnataka's Mangalore city for having a Hindu driver for her car.
The fact that Deeba Algani was with her mother, Zubeida Begum, member of a village panchayat in rural Mangalore, did not deter the mob of around 20 from assaulting her on Wednesday evening.
What's more, the mob allegedly snatched Algani's gold chain, her mother's mobile phone and Rs. 3.07 lakh cash.
The attack occurred at Karmar near Bajpe (Mangalore Airport), around 360 km from Bangalore. Deeba is admitted to a government hospital in Mangalore with multiple bruises.
The driver, Dharma K, who was also beaten up, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, police said.
Algani has identified her attackers as members of the Karnataka Forum for Dignity.
"They attacked us after asking why we were going with the Hindu driver," she said.
Mangalore police commissioner Mahesh Karbikar said, "We are checking if the attackers are members of KFD."
{{/usCountry}}Mangalore police commissioner Mahesh Karbikar said, "We are checking if the attackers are members of KFD."
{{/usCountry}}Athavulla Jokatte, state committee member of the Popular Front of India said KFD was now a part of their organisation.
"Our members are not involved in this incident."