Elderly man beaten with rods and sticks:Attackers avenge dispute with son, bystanders watch in silence

A 67-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by four armed miscreants in broad daylight near Gol Bazar in Jabalpur on February 18, police said. The accused reportedly beat him with sticks and iron rods, and punched and kicked him until he lost consciousness. A video of the incident surfaced on Friday. The victim, Rajaram Vishwakarma, who works as a furniture maker at a hospital, was admitted in a serious condition. Doctors said he suffered fractures in both hands, legs and neck, along with internal injuries. Police said the accused fled the spot after the assault. A case has been registered and efforts are under way to trace and arrest them. See, two pictures… Dispute with son led to attack According to the Lordganj police, the assault was allegedly linked to an earlier dispute between Rajaram’s son, Sandeep Vishwakarma, and one of the accused, Shubham Jaiswal, who lives in the same Cherital neighbourhood. About six weeks ago, Sandeep had objected to Shubham and his associates drinking alcohol and creating a disturbance on the road. This led to an argument, during which the accused allegedly threatened retaliation. Police said that on January 14, the accused allegedly set off crude explosive devices outside Sandeep’s house and abused the family before fleeing when neighbours gathered. Called on pretext of advance payment Police said that on February 18, at around 6.50 p.m., Rajaram received a phone call asking him to come outside the hospital on the pretext of receiving an advance payment for making a cart. When he stepped out, Shubham Jaiswal, along with his associates Shani Rajak, Vikas Rajak and Mahendra Patel, allegedly surrounded him and assaulted him with sticks and iron rods. The accused had covered their faces and fled on motorcycles after the attack. Passersby witnessed the incident, but the attackers escaped before help could arrive. Police launch search for accused Police reached the spot after receiving information and shifted Rajaram to hospital. Doctors confirmed multiple fractures and internal injuries. City Superintendent of Police Ritesh Kumar Shiv said teams have been formed to arrest the accused. Police said they will be apprehended soon.