The local police have registered a case in the matter against the villagers | Photo Credit: People

Key Highlights The accused man has been identified as 35-year-old William K James, a resident of Melbourne The accused was rushed to a private hospital in Bagalkot district. The local police have registered a case in the matter against the unknown villagers

Bengaluru: In a case reported Karnataka, an Australian national was thrashed by villagers after he was found to have been allegedly misbehaving with a local woman. The accused man has been identified as a 35-year-old tourist named William K James, a resident of Melbourne.

The incident happened in Konankoppa area near Badami district. Locals alleged that James was in an inebriated state and they saw him misbehaving with a woman. Enraged over his actions, the locals tied him to an electric pole and brutally thrashed him. Later, a few locals interfered and urged the villagers to release him. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Bagalkot district.

The police officials said that James arrived in Badami on Monday after visiting the historical places, he then travelled to Konankoppa area which is about 15 km from Badami. Here, he entered a couple of houses and began misbehaving with women.

However, the local police have registered a case in the matter against the unknown villagers for taking the law into their hands under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. While another case has been registered against James, where the locals alleged that he was intoxicated and misbehaved with women.

The police are now trying to identify the accused villagers who thrashed James and further probe in the matter is underway.