AHMEDABAD: Chetan Patel, 19, a resident of Naroda was brought to Civil Hospital in critical condition, with his stomach unnaturally bloated. He had fallen victim to a vicious 'prank' by ' friends ' at his workplace - an auto parts manufacturing unit in Naroda.

The episode took place on Tuesday evening when Chetan was at his workplace. Some of his friends were joking around with him. His 'friends' then ganged up on him and shoved the nozzle of an air compressor up his rectum and pumped air into Chetan's body.

The unbearable pain caused the youth to fall unconscious. Frightened by the turn of events, the youths came to their senses and rushed Chetan to a private hospital. They lied to the doctors there, saying Chetan had been injured when he fell from his workstation at the factory. However, on gauging his symptoms the doctors intimated city police and the youth was transferred to Civil Hospital.

A doctor said: "Chetan has severe internal injuries as several of his organs have been damaged. Intense pressure was exerted on his intestines and other organs by the air pumped into his body." Police said: "We were unable to speak to the victim since he is critical. We will have to wait for his condition to be stable." A complaint in this regard has been registered at Shaherkotda police station.