Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR against Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose of the Indian Air Force in connection with a road rage incident involving a bike rider. The case, registered under the jurisdiction of the Byappanahalli police station, follows an altercation between Bose and the biker, Vikas Kumar.
Earlier, Bose had posted a video on social media claiming he was attacked by a local youth for not speaking in Kannada. However, subsequent CCTV footage contradicted this claim, showing Bose overpowering Kumar, kicking, and punching him.
The FIR against Bose includes charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 304 (snatching forcefully), 324 (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace).
The complaint was filed by Vikas Kumar, a call center employee, who alleges that the incident occurred when he was returning a friend's bike. Kumar stated that while he was riding, a car brushed against his bike, leading him to question the officer about the collision. In response, Bose allegedly kicked the bike and proceeded to assault Kumar when he objected. Kumar also claims that Bose snatched his phone and threw it away, along with the bike keys, before attempting to choke him.
The incident sparked controversy when Kannada organizations condemned the officer’s video and the alleged assault, criticizing him for framing the incident as a Kannada-versus-Hindi issue. They also criticized the police for arresting Kumar while not taking immediate action against Bose.
According to DCP East, D. Devaraju, the altercation occurred around 6 a.m. on Monday as Bose and his wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Das, were on their way from the DRDO Quarters to Bengaluru International Airport. An argument ensued between the officer, his wife, and the biker, escalating into the road rage incident. CCTV footage and bystander videos have corroborated the details of the altercation.
DCP Devaraju stated that both parties could have avoided the incident. He also mentioned that when the officer and his wife came to the police station around 6:30 a.m., the SHO advised them to seek medical attention for their injuries. Following a live social media post by Bose, the police traced his details, contacted Madhumita Das, and filed a complaint. The investigation continues as the case remains under review.
With IANS inputs