Ravidas' mother Bhagwania Devi and his friend Lalbabu Paswan were also assaulted.

Ravidas was seriously injured and was admitted to a private hospital here Thursday. He was so shocked by the incident that he refused to lodge a police complaint.

Phulwarisharief police station officer-in-charge Balram Prasad said it took a lot of convincing and an assurance of protection for the victims to come forward and lodge the complaint.

The officer said a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act has been lodged against seven men of the village. All the accused are absconding, he added.