Madikeri, Oct. 16 -- A businessman from Kerala was brutally assaulted and robbed near Balugodu village in Kodagu while travelling to Mysuru via the Gonikoppal-Hunsur route. The incident occurred around 11.30 am yesterday.

The victim, identified as Appus, a hotel and textile entrepreneur from Vadakara district in Kerala, was on his way to Mysuru to purchase supplies for his businesses ahead of the Deepavali festival. He was driving a car bearing Kerala registration number KL-11-BK-9703.

According to Police reports, a group of five men in a white car with a Maharashtra registration number intercepted Appus near a petrol pump turn at Balugodu. The assailants allegedly followed him, blocked his vehicle and attacked him with iron rods and wo...