Bengaluru: In a freak incident, a 27-year-old company CEO’s forearm was severed when a crocodile attacked him after he entered a lake in a protected area. The incident was reported at Thattekere Lake that falls under Bannerghatta forest area off Anekal-Harohalli Road.

Mudit Dandwate, an alumnus of IIT-Bombay and presently CEO and co-founder of a private company in Dhoopanahalli, is the one who survived the attack. He is a resident of Indiranagar.

Mr Dandwate along with a woman friend and his two pet dogs had gone to the Thattekere forest area on Sunday morning. They reportedly parked their car near Kanive Mahadeshwara Temple just a few metres away from the lake. After visiting the temple, they went near the lake. It is said that the duo failed to notice a signboard warning about the presence of crocodiles in the lake and Mr Dandwate reportedly entered the lake to give bath to the dogs.

“Suddenly, a crocodile jumped out of the water and attacked him. As it held him by his left arm, his forearm was severed and he managed to run back to the lakebed. His friend came to his help and immediately rushed him to a private hospital, where he is undergoing treatment,” the Harohalli police said.

It is also said that Mr Dandwate ran into the lake after the dogs ran towards the lake and jumped into water. The incident occurred when he got into the water to bring the dogs back. Ramanagar SP Ramesh Banot told Deccan Chronicle that preliminary investigation and the details provided by Mr Dandwate’s friend revealed that the incident occurred when he was bathing the dogs.

The forest department officials, however, suspect that the friends entered the protected area for trekking.

“Thattekere Lake is within a protected forest area. The lake has electric fencing around it and also there are a few signboards at the lake warning people to not venture into the lake as there are crocodiles. But they have failed to notice it and have entered the lake inviting danger. We are contemplating booking them for trespassing and also under the provision of the Wildlife Protection Act,” a forest department official added.

Mr Dandwate, who is undergoing treatment at HOSMAT Hospital, will have to undergo surgery and will be given prosthetic arm after a few months, the hospital authorities said.