BENGALURU: The Wing Commander who assaulted a biker in East Bengaluru is in trouble as the police registered an FIR against him with multiple charges, including attempt to murder.
The FIR was registered on Monday evening based on the complaint filed by the biker, Vikas Kumar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) D Devaraja said, “A case was registered against Shiladitya Bose at Byappanahalli police station based on the complaint given by Vikas Kumar around 7 pm. Further investigation is in progress.”
The case is registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 304 (snatching), 324 (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).
On Monday, Bose made videos and uploaded them on Instagram, stating that he was assaulted by a biker when he was travelling in his car along with his wife. The incident snowballed into a language controversy as Bose alleged he was abused in Kannada before being assaulted without any provocation. The bleeding Bose further commented, “This is what Karnataka has become. I believed in Kannada, but seeing the truth of main heartland Karnataka, I could not believe it. God help us.”
Bose claimed he showed restraint when attacked, saying, “God gave me the power not to retaliate.”
The video went viral on social media, with netizens slamming Kannada-speaking Bengalureans for targeting outsiders. Before the city got branded negatively, the police managed to zero in on the biker.
During interrogation, he told police that he was the one who was actually brutally attacked, not as claimed by Bose. The police then analysed the CCTV footage from surrounding buildings and discovered Bose assaulting the biker after the verbal duel turned physical.
Vikas, in his complaint, stated that the car hit his bike while he was on his way to return the bike to his friend around 6.20 am. So, he stopped the car to question about the minor accident and driving away without stopping. Bose claimed that his wife, Madhumita Dutta, a Squadron Leader, residents of DRDO Phase-1 Township in CV Raman Nagar, were driving towards a bus stop on Old Madras Road as he was leaving for the airport to go to Kolkata. Madhumita filed a complaint with the Byappanahalli police against the biker. A senior officer said, “We will summon Bose for questioning, and further necessary action will be taken.”
Vikas’s mother spoke to the media, stating that it was incorrect to blame her son and declare the Wing Commander faultless. She explained that the commander physically attacked her son, bit his hand, and caused damage to the motorcycle. She mentioned that despite the severe assault, they refrained from filing a complaint to avoid escalating the situation. However, she expressed concern that the other party magnified the issue and put her son in trouble. She concluded by expressing her desire for justice for her son.
Police commissioner B Dayananda reacting to Byappanahalli incident said, the case and counter case have been registered. Both the cases are under investigation. Initial probe appears it is a road rage and the version given by the wing commander appears to be misrepresented.
Bengaluru City police advise people to first report any such incidents to police before going to social media so that police swiftly act. However, it is advised to stick on to the facts, authentic and truthful. Otherwise things related to language, community and religion can escalate very fast, people are advised to resist from such acts.