GANGAVATHI (KOPPAL): Four Muslim youths from Gangavathi city were arrested on February 4 in connection with the alleged assault of a 27-year-old salesman, Venkatesh Avalamand, a resident of Basapattana village in Gangavathi taluk.Based on a complaint lodged by Venkatesh at the Gangavathi Town police station, a case has been registered against eight persons, including Khaja Peer, Amir and Indravali. According to the complaint, the incident occurred on the night of February 3 when Venkatesh had gone to the Gangavathi bus terminus to drop a Muslim woman and her children at the request of her family, who are his neighbours.The complaint stated that a group of Muslim youths questioned Venkatesh about accompanying the woman, allegedly snatched his mobile phone and checked his gallery, asking why he had photographs of Muslim girls. Despite the woman clarifying that she knew him, the youths allegedly did not listen and forced him to move around the city on a scooter.Venkatesh alleged that at around 11.30 pm, he was taken near the railway tracks in the Siddikeri area, where he was assaulted. He further claimed that he was forced to confess that he loved the woman and was threatened with death if he did not comply. The youth allegedly recorded a video of his love confession before leaving the spot.After the assailants left, Venkatesh walked to a hospital for treatment and later filed a police complaint with Gangavathi town police.Following the registration of the case, SDPI members and some Muslim youths reached the police station and engaged in a verbal altercation with the police, questioning why a case was registered only against them. They demanded that a case be registered against Venkatesh under the POCSO Act, leading to a ruckus at the station.Meanwhile, the Muslim woman’s family has stood by Venkatesh, stating that he had only come to help them and had done nothing wrong. Superintendent of Police Dr Ram L. Arasiddi visited Gangavathi during the night on February 4 and gathered details about the incident.Sources said that SDPI activists have allegedly put pressure on the woman’s family to file a POCSO case if the complaint is not withdrawn. Gangavathi DSP Jayappa Nyamagoudar said the investigation is ongoing and reconciliation talks are currently underway between the complainant and the accused.