Madikeri (Karnataka): B N Venkatesh, who worked as a lineman in Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESK), attacked his senior with a knife and chopped off his ear on Friday after he was asked to postpone his leave due to staff shortage.

Assistant engineer C Swamy denied Venketesh leave which agitated him as a result of which he chopped off a portion of Swamy's ear followed with a kick in chest and stomach.

The attack landed Swamy in ICU.

In his defence, Venketesh told the police that Swamy had abused him about his caste on being asked for a leave.