Mangaluru: The police have arrested seven persons accused of beating up Rajesh Nayak from Kukkottu in Boliyar, who allegedly passed his mobile number to a minor girl belonging to another community and pestered her to call him.

According to the reports, Rajesh, a painter by profession began to stalk the 15-year old girl of Sajipamuda just because she had smiled at him. The next day he came by a bike, and had flung  a chit towards her, in which his mobile number was written. He had also reportedly asked the girl to call him.

The girl complained to her family members, after which the locals gathered and beat up Rajesh. He was booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012.

The arrested persons have been identified as Farooq alias Ummer Farooq (40), Cinan alias Muhammed Cinan (19), Jaffer alias Javuddin (20), Ansar alias Ansar Shaffi (22), Shahul alias Shahul Hameed (20), Fayaz (21), and Kabir (22),all from Boliyar Kukkottu.

Family members of the girl had filed a complaint in Ullal station against Rajesh. Rajesh then filed a complaint in Konaje police station against his assaulters. A complaint and counter complaint was lodged in this regard. The arrested were later released on bail.