A Dalit was tied to a tree and beaten up in a village in Vijayapura by a fellow villager on the suspicion that the victim’s son had eloped with his daughter.

Mareppa Harijan, a Dalit from Haligondakanal village of Sindgi taluk, in his complaint to the police, said Mehboobsab is the one who assaulted him.

He said his son, Ningappa, had left home a month ago, while the daughter of Mebhoobsab went missing a fortnight ago. This had led Mebhoobsab to believe that Ningappa has eloped with his daughter.

Mehboobsab and his other son Allabaksha allegedly beat up Mareppa and when Ramesh, the second son of Mareppa, came to the rescue, he too was allegedly beaten up.

Mareppa has been admitted to the district government hospital here. Speaking to The Hindu , Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Jain said the police have filed a case against seven persons in connection with the assault. Of them, one has been arrested.