An externed criminal was left battling for life at a city hospital on Monday morning as he was severely beaten up by a family in Vakola after he broke into their home. The man had come to the area to meet his girlfriend, despite being externed from the region by the police.

After meeting his girlfriend on Dattamandir road, Ganesh Vichare (36) went over to her next-door neighbour and began assaulting the inhabitant, Ramakant Dhuri (62) without warning. Dhuri had allegedly lodged a complaint against Vichare at the police station last year.