Bollywood action director Tinnu Verma is reportedly missing since allegedly assaulting his step-brother Manohar Verma here last week.
Tinnu, a popular stunt director, has worked in films like "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha", "Krazzy 4", "Koi... Mil Gaya" and "Shootout at Wadala".
According to Manohar's brother Mahendra, Tinnu made an "attempt to murder" Manohar on Aug 23. Mahendra believes Tinnu is being protected by his real brother Narendra Verma, president of the Mumbai region Nationalist Youth Congress, the youth wing of the Nationalist Congress Party.
"Tinnu Verma is still missing/absconding for the last five-six days. How can it be possible had he not been supported/protected either by police or by our politician brother (Narendra Verma)," Mahendra wrote in an open letter to media. A copy of the letter is with IANS.
Mahendra has claimed that Tinnu had also attacked him earlier this month.
"Before attacking my brother Manohar, he had also attempted to murder me on Aug 8 in our Andheri residency society. I filed an FIR, but the police diluted my complaint and did not even arrest him or warn him from attempting such a serious crime.
"Had he been arrested then, he would not have dared to attempt another near fatal murderous attack on my younger brother Manohar," he added.
If a source close to the family is to be believed, Tinnu allegedly had beaten up Mahendra with an iron rod, while he attacked Manohar with a sword Aug 23.
The action-episode is said to have been the result of their father's will and distribution of family property therein.
Mahendra has now alleged that "the attacker is let loose purposely to make another attempt on one of us brothers or our family".
"The police is taking this matter very lightly and do not want to book Tinnu Verma because of the influence of Narendra Verma," he added.
Manohar is currently admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Both his legs are badly injured, and he suffered serious head injuries due to which he ended up having 21 stitches.
Manohar's wife said she never thought Tinnu would get so violent.
"I never thought Tinnu will come with a sword and assault Manohar. We always wanted a peaceful resolution," she said.