Periyapatna: A shopkeeper reportedly chopped off the toes of a customer over a petty issue at Periyapatna last night. The incident came to light this morning, when passersby saw the injured customer lying on the roadside and admitted him to Periyapatna General Hospital. Later he was shifted to K.R. Hospital in Mysuru.

While the injured customer has been identified as Puttachennaiah of Bavalalu village, the shopkeeper is 38-year-old Suresh of Ravanduru village who owns a garment shop in Periyapatna.

Yesterday evening, Puttachennaiah, went to the garment shop and bought a dress worth Rs. 250 and gave Rs. 150  to Suresh saying that he would pay the balance amount of Rs. 100 the next day. Soon, wordy duel ensued between the two, resulting in Suresh allegedly chopping off his toes. Periyapatna Police have arrested Suresh.