Financial Dispute Leads to Assault on Yakshagana Artist in Padubidri
Udupi: An incident of violence stemming from a financial dispute has been reported involving a local Yakshagana artist, 31-year-old Nitin Acharya, who resides in Nadsalu village, Padubidri. A formal complaint has been lodged at the Padubidri police station against the alleged assailant, identified as Sachin, a fellow Yakshagana artist from Pavanje.
The allegations detail that Nitin borrowed money from Sachin in 2020 and has been repaying the loan with interest. However, complications arose when Sachin allegedly demanded immediate repayment, resulting in a heated dispute between the two friends.
The situation escalated on January 21, when Sachin purportedly invited Nitin to his residence in Udyavar. Reports indicate that during this meeting, Sachin, alongside his father Kushal and an unidentified accomplice, assaulted Nitin. It is claimed that the attackers used a stick to inflict injuries on Nitin’s back, head, and legs and further coerced him into signing a blank bond paper.
In a display of resilience, Nitin participated in a Yakshagana performance in Puttur on the same evening despite his injuries. However, the following morning, he sought medical attention and was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in Padubidri due to severe pain resulting from the assault.
The Padubidri police have acknowledged the filing of a case in connection with this incident and are actively conducting an investigation to ascertain the details surrounding the altercation.