Bhim Sen Kohli loved life, his allotments and his dog. How did his horrifying death happen?

He was the respected 80-year-old retiree who was known for dutifully tending to his beloved allotments alongside his dog Rocky.

Described as “incredible” and “gentle” by friends, Bhim Sen Kohli was brutally attacked as he enjoyed his daily routine of gardening and walking his 15-year-old crossbreed yards from his home in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire.

Mr Kohli, originally from Punjab in India, was “kicked in the neck” according to neighbours, after he was set upon at around 6.30pm on Sunday and allegedly attacked.

The grandfather was taken to hospital but died on Monday night. Police now face questions over their handling of recent complaints he had made about anti-social behaviour.

Officers from Leicestershire arrested a boy and a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12 on suspicion of murder and the force has referred itself to the watchdog over prior contact with the victim.

All of them bar the 14-year-old boy were released on Tuesday night with no further action being taken. The 14-year-old boy remains in custody.

Family lived in area for 40 years

Mr Kohli had lived in the area alongside his family for 40 years. He worked in Leicester’s textile trade, running a factory that made jumpers and cardigans.

He lived with his wife Satinder, 73, in the 1970 semi-detached home on a quiet cul-de-sac next to Franklin Park.

Neighbours became used to the sight of him walking his dog through the park around 20 yards from his home every day.

According to one neighbour, Mr Kohli would grow more “unusual” produce including chickpeas. He would often swap his produce with his fellow allotment owners, who would grow the usual British harvest of potatoes, onions and carrots.

Maintaining three allotments kept Mr Kohli “very active”, growing “amazing” vegetables as part of his passion for gardening, according to his daughter.

Friends said the father-of-three was devoted to his family and the dog and struggled to grasp why anyone would harm him.

Despite reportedly suffering from osteoporosis and “getting frail” he would tend to his allotments “all year round”.

‘The most incredible individual’

“He was the most incredible individual,” his friend Kerri Haldane, 55, told The Telegraph. “He would quite often have the dog with him, and he would finish off at the allotment at night and then go to the park with his dog. We didn’t know that would be the last time we saw him.”

She said she was angry and upset at his death, adding: “I cannot think of a single reason why anyone would not like him. He was such a lovely man. Quite often you would see him with his grandchildren at the allotment and his wife would go down and help him. He always used to joke that his wife would get the rubbish jobs like the weeding.

“Why would anyone do something like that to such a nice man? He would always say hello to everyone. I don’t think anyone can take it all in, this will affect a lot of people around here. We are all just really shocked and that children as young as 12 have been arrested is even more shocking, for someone of that age.

“We always said if we were as active as he was at 80 we would be very happy. He got out and about and enjoyed himself, he seemed to be quite a social man too. He liked to talk to anybody who was walking past.”

‘I don’t know anyone who had a problem with him’

Deep Singh Kalia, 70, who had known him for more than 30 years said: “He was such a lovely guy. It is a horrible shock.

“I would meet up with him every day. He loved his allotment, and loved his dog, and loved his family. I don’t know why anyone would have wanted to do something like this to him. He was just a very nice man who wouldn’t have done anything to provoke this.

“He was skinny, but very fit because he worked on his allotment all the time. He was joking all the time. I don’t know anyone who had a problem with him.

“I have been to see his wife. He was very popular and a lot of people are coming to say sorry.”

Summing up the heartbreak of a shocked community, Mr Kalia’s wife, Harjinder, 53, added: “It is just awful. Bhim wouldn’t have harmed anyone.”