Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Bengaluru police to take stringent action as per law in the road rage incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and a call centre worker.
“With regard to the incident, I have instructed the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate legal action against the individuals involved – irrespective of their position or rank. The state government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim,” Siddaramaiah said on social media on Tuesday.
While IAF officer Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose had claimed to have been attacked by call centre worker Vikas Kumar, CCTV footage from the scene of the incident revealed that Bose too had assaulted Kumar.
Kumar was arrested on Monday after Bose’s wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta, filed a complaint, leading to an assault case being registered against the call centre worker. The complaint stated that Bose was attacked because he did not speak Kannada.
A counter complaint of assault and attempt to murder was filed by the call centre worker against the IAF officer, and an FIR was registered by the police on Monday night. In his complaint, Kumar said Bose claimed to be in the Air Force and warned him against picking a fight.
CCTV footage from the site of the incident, which was accessed by the local police, indicated that Bose assaulted Kumar on the road and the sidewalk after the alleged road rage incident.
“It is deeply regrettable that certain national media outlets, neglecting their responsibility and professional ethics, have amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the dignity of the entire state. This has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga,” Siddaramaiah said on social media on Tuesday.
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The office of the defence PRO in Bengaluru, meanwhile, described the incident as “unfortunate” and stated that the IAF was cooperating with authorities. “An unfortunate incident involving an IAF officer took place in Bengaluru yesterday. The IAF is assisting the local authorities in investigating and following up the case to its lawful resolution,” the statement read.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
