Businessman assaulted by private bus staff in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Upparpet police have registered a case after a businessman was allegedly assaulted by staff of a private bus service in the city.

The victim, 23-year-old Dhruv Niteesh Naik, is a resident of Dharwad and the owner of a private firm there. The incident occurred on July 1, between 11.40 pm and 11.50 pm.

According to the FIR, Naik had just landed in Bengaluru that day from a trip to Thailand and, after getting changed in a hotel, met his friends Pranav, Hanish, and Prajwal and went to Majestic to catch the pre-booked private bus.

While Pranav and Hanish boarded the bus, Naik stood outside with the third friend and was smoking a cigarette, the FIR noted.

Naik told the police that one of the bus staff suddenly pushed his hand away, which was holding the cigarette, and told him it was time for the bus to leave. When an argument ensued, three to four others beat up Naik with a wooden log, he told the police.

The FIR noted that Naik’s bag went missing during the incident, which also contained his passport and watch. A probe has been initiated, the police said.