Kannada star Dhruv Sarja’s manager held for attacking actor’s gym trainer

Bengaluru: The Banashankari police in southern Bengaluru have arrested four people, including the manager of Kannada actor Dhruv Sarja, for attacking the actor’s fitness trainer, Prashanth Poojari, in May.

The arrested include Ashwin (manager), Nagendra (driver), and two others, Subbu and Harsha, who carried out the assault on Poojari on May 26, police officials said.

The attack occurred around 9.25 pm on KR Road in Banashankari 2nd Stage while Poojari was returning home.

In his police complaint, Poojari alleged that Subbu and Harsha attacked him with a baseball bat and a machete, as recorded in the FIR. He sustained injuries and was treated at a hospital.

Police registered a case under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint) and 307 (attempt to murder). Subbu and Harsha were arrested and they later revealed the involvement of Nagendra, leading to Ashwin's arrest.

“The motive appears to be personal, stemming from rivalry over who would get closer to the actor,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Tuesday.

A police source added that Ashwin and Nagendra were irked by Poojari’s growing proximity to Sarja, which resulted in the assault.

"All four suspects are currently out on bail," an official stated.

Nagendra reportedly instructed Subbu and Harsha to carry out the attack on Ashwin's orders.