A Bengaluru tattoo artist known on social media as the “Ghost Tattoo Artist” was hospitalised after an assault related to a personal dispute, according to sources. The tattoo artist had been in a bitter relationship with a woman he met at his studio, sources said.
That tattoo artist, who is named Arjun Babu in the account, has more than a million followers on social media and has also appeared in films, he told. Now, the story is being played up due to the alleged financial loss, marriage promises and the subsequent assault.
The story began around two years ago in the Byadarahalli area, the report said. Sampritha had visited Arjun's tattoo studio, said the woman. She said she was a widow and had two children. Arjun, who had gone through a divorce from his first wife, had developed a close bond with her.
The two began to talk about marriage, the source said. Sampritha promised to marry Arjun, after which he gave her lakhs of rupees from his earnings.
However, the planned marriage was still postponed, the report said. Arjun was repeatedly told that the marriage would happen “tomorrow” or “the day after,” but the wedding did not take place even after nearly a year.
The situation escalated on September 2, when Arjun allegedly tried to contact Sampritha over the phone but did not get a response. Suspicious about the situation, he reportedly went to her residence.
According to the accusations, Arjun found Sampritha doing a video call with another man. A clash followed, and the woman's side attacked Arjun with an iron rod.
Arjun suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment. The circumstances of the alleged assault are still under investigation by police and should not be seen as evidence of criminal wrongdoing by anybody, unless established by the legal process.
The report also states that Arjun initially did not publicly reveal the alleged relationship dispute. Concerned about social reputation, he reportedly told people on social media that he had met with an accident and shared a video giving that explanation.
The alleged incident came to light later on and the story of the tattoo artist's personal dispute was given in the report.
The case shows how disputes can quickly escalate when money is involved in financial transactions and in marriage promises. But there are also details in the report, including the amount of money alleged to have been transferred, the identities/roles of those involved and the status of any police inquiry, that can be confirmed independently.
For now, the allegations should be considered in that context. Police or medical records or court proceedings would be needed to establish the sequence of events and responsibility for the reported assault.
Social media has also rallied around the incident, as Arjun Babu’s profile as a tattoo artist and social media personality is very public. The dispute is only one example that people who are in a relationship that involves some of their biggest financial transactions can be complicated when the expectations of marriage and money are violated.
If official findings are publicly released, they would provide a clearer picture of what happened in the immediate and in the alleged assault, authorities would be able to get a fuller understanding of what happened before and during the alleged attack.
