A Muslim youth was stripped, tied to an electricity pole and assaulted in full public view here by members of fringe right-wing groups while giving money to a Hindu girl.
The incident took place at Attavar here last evening when Shakir (28) was beaten up after being stripped and tied to the pole by the mob which said he was in a car with the girl, police said.
Shakir, a resident of Kulur, and the girl worked in the same supermarket.
Police rushed to the spot when photos of the incident went viral on social sites and were flashed on local channels. Shakir was later hospitalised.
Fifteen people, belonging to the right-wing groups, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Police said they were on the lookout for others involved in the incident.
Shakir claimed that the girl had asked for some money and he was assaulted while he was giving her the cash. He was initially kicked and assaulted by two persons and others joined them later, he said.
However, giving a different version, the girl lodged a complaint with a women's police station, alleging she was being "harassed" and "blackmailed" by Shakir.
She also alleged that he had behaved "inappropriately" with her and she had not asked for money as claimed by Shakir.
Several such cases, particularly ones involving different communities have been reported in Dakshina Kannada district, raising concerns.
