Udupi: A youth died after being allegedly assaulted by a group of four following a heated argument over personal and drinking-related issues near Padukere Circle on Sunday evening. The deceased is Santosh Poojary.According to police, Poojary, along with Sachin, Chetan, Kaushik, Sujan, and Darshan, finished a party at a bar and later went to Padukere Circle, where they ate and spoke. During the conversation, Darshan, Kaushik, Ankit, and Sujan reportedly picked up an argument with Santosh over issues related to his family and drinking habits. The argument escalated, during which they allegedly abused him in foul language and assaulted him together.In the scuffle, Darshan allegedly hit Santosh forcefully on the back of his neck with his hand, while Kaushik assaulted him with his hand. The complainant, Rajat, attempted to intervene and stop the fight. Following the assault, Santosh collapsed on the spot. Seeing this, all the accused fled from the scene.Santosh was found frothing at the mouth and was unable to speak. The complainant then called Sachin, Chetan, and Prakash, and Santosh was shifted in a car to a hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors examined him and declared him dead upon arrival.Based on the complaint stating that Darshan, Kaushik Jogi, Ankit, and Sujan abused Santosh using obscene language and assaulted him fatally, Kota police station registered a case under Sections 103, 115(2), 352 read with 3(5) of the BNS. The arrested accused are Darshan, 21, from Padukere, Kaushik, 21, from Pandeshwar, Ankit, 19, and Sujan, 21, from Padukere. They have been taken into custody and will be produced before the court.
