Leicester

An elderly Indian-origin man has been killed after being assaulted while walking his dog in a park in an eastern England town near the city of Leicester on Sunday (Sep 1). 

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The victim has been identified as Bhim Kohli (80) as police arrested five people - a boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 – on suspicion of murder. However, as of the last update, four had been released without any action. 

The incident took place around 6:30 pm local time near Franklin Park's entrance. The autopsy report revealed that Kohli had died due to a neck injury as further test results were awaited. 

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“Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation,” said Detective Inspector (DI) Emma Matts. 

“Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack, and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened. We still need people who were in the area to come forward if they have seen anything or have any information which could assist,” Matts added.

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Police appeal for information

The police have appealed to the community members to come out and provide any information about the assault that took place on Kohli and what prompted it. 

“Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way around 6.30 pm on Sunday night? Did you see the attack itself? From the description given, did you see the victim before the incident or possibly a group of young people leaving the area after?," the police said in an appeal. 

"A scene preservation will remain in place at the park while our investigation progresses. Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns."

According to reports, Kohli was only 30 seconds away from reaching home when he was clobbered by the alleged minors. The family, which has lived in the area for 40 years, said Kohli had always been active and took routine walks in the park. 

(With inputs from agencies)