Niranjan, who runs a small hotel near Indira Nagar here, was in love with Shilpa, an SSLC student. Venkataratnam alias Babji an engineering student from Tenali was also in love with Shilpa. For Niranjan and Babji, it was hate at first sight.

On Thursday Babji came to Nirajan's hotel, with a goon Yerraswamy and picked up a quarrel with Niranjan. Niranjan's mother pacified them and send them away. Babji came back with local goons Durga Prasad, Yerriswami, and 10 others in three autos soon after. They attacked Niranjan, his brother Bhaskar, and his mother with knives and other weapons. Niranjan's mother Satyavathi was stabbed on the stomach. Niranjan, a karate expert, while defending himself, attacked Durga Prasad and Yerriswami as they hit him on his head. Thimmappa, a pimp wanted by police, was also injured in the encounter. Babjifled from the scene.

Shivanna Tavargi, DSP, said Babji, a `road-side Romeo' had become a nuisance in the area. Police are on the lookout for him, he added.Tavargi said the injured Niranjan, his mother Satyavathi, brother Bhaskar, and Durga Prasad and Yerriswamy have been admitted to VIMS.

He said Cowl Bazar police have registered a case against 12 persons including Babji, Durga Prasad, and Yerriswamy.Police also registered a case against Niranjan and his brother Bhaskar on the complaint of Durgaprasad. Superintendent of Police Gopal Hosur is supervising the investigation.