A man was arrested in connection with an incident in which a 40-year-old IAF officer was allegedly assaulted and verbally abused by a group of Kannada-speaking individuals who chased him on a bike in Bengaluru early Monday morning. Police have termed it a case of road rage.
The accused, Vikas Kumar, works as a team head at a software company’s call centre, they added.
According to police, both parties attacked each other.
Purported videos showed the IAF officer roughing up the accused and creating a scene in public. The officer was seen arguing with Kumar and hitting him, even as his wife tried to stop him.
The incident occurred while the officer was on his way to the airport with his wife, who is also an IAF officer.
Based on a complaint by the officer’s wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta, a case has been registered at the Byappanahalli police station against unknown individuals.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Devaraj D told PTI: "This is a case of road rage. An altercation took place, and both sides attacked each other. The accused has been taken into custody. At around 6 am, the officer was heading from his DRDO quarters to Kempegowda International Airport. His wife was driving, and he was seated beside her. An altercation broke out between the couple and a bike rider." CCTV footage and videos recorded by bystanders suggested that the conflict could have been avoided, he added.
"When they came to the police station, the SHO advised the officer to get first aid, as he was bleeding, and return to file the FIR. But since he was getting late, he left for the airport. After he went live on social media, we traced Madhumita's details and contacted the DRDO quarters. She came to the station and lodged a complaint. We have registered an FIR under grievous hurt," the DCP said.
During questioning, the accused claimed he was passing by when the woman allegedly made a remark. He said he asked, "What are you talking about?" and then approached the officer, asking, "What is madam saying?" An argument followed. "We have ample video evidence and will proceed with the investigation," the DCP added.
Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose alleged he was attacked and verbally abused by men who followed them on a two-wheeler.
He posted a video on Instagram narrating the events and showing injuries on his face and neck.
"We live in DRDO, CV Raman Nagar Phase 1. This morning, my wife was driving me to the airport when a bike came from behind and blocked our car. I’ll share dash cam footage too. One of the riders started abusing me in Kannada. On seeing the DRDO sticker, he said, ‘You DRDO people,’ followed by more abuse. He then abused my wife. I couldn’t take it," he said.
Recounting the assault, Bose said: "When I got out of the car, he immediately hit me on the forehead with his keys. I stood there shouting, asking if this is how people treat Defence personnel. More individuals gathered and began abusing us." He added, "That man even picked up a stone and tried to damage our car. When I tried to stop him, he hit me again. You can see the blood—this is what happened. Thankfully, my wife was there to get me out." Bose also claimed they went to the police station but did not receive immediate help.
"But this is what Karnataka has become. I believed in this state, but after today’s incident, I’m shocked. God help us. God give me the strength not to retaliate. But if law and order fail, I will," he said in the video.
While the exact location is yet to be officially confirmed, Bose said the incident took place on the route from CV Raman Nagar to the airport.
In a second video posted later, Bose said he was heading to Kolkata to visit his ailing father. He described the assault as “shocking” and said it had deeply affected his family.
