Twist in Bengaluru road rage: IAF officer booked for attempted murder after 'factual inaccuracies' in video

Victim files counter-complaint; Indian Air Force says it is assisting the investigation

Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, who alleged he was assaulted by a motorbiker on Monday, has now been booked for attempted murder of the same individual.

Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose, a resident of the DRDO Phase 1 Township in CV Raman Nagar, had recorded a video, showing himself bleeding and claimed he was attacked by a motorbiker around 6.20 am near Baiyyappanahalli while en route to the Bengaluru airport.

Following the video's release, the police initially registered a case against the motorbiker, Vikas Kumar, booking him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to criminal conspiracy, causing hurt with dangerous weapons, and use of criminal force. Kumar was subsequently arrested.

However, further investigation — including multiple viral CCTV clips — revealed that it was Kumar who was brutally assaulted by Bose. The footage shows Bose knocking Kumar down and repeatedly kicking him.

After securing bail, Kumar filed a counter-complaint, alleging that Bose attempted to kill him by assaulting and strangling him.

Kumar told the police that he was on his way to return a friend’s bike when the car, driven by Bose, intercepted him.

Despite merely brushing past the car, Kumar said Bose stepped out, confronted him aggressively, and assaulted him, shouting, “Don’t play with an Air Force officer.” Kumar also alleged that Bose snatched his mobile phone and bike key and threw them away.

Based on Kumar's complaint, the Baiyappanahalli police registered an FIR against Bose under BNS sections 109 (attempt to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 304 (snatching), 324 (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace).

A senior officer told DH that all eyewitnesses will be questioned, and available video evidence reviewed before deciding on the arrest.

As Bose is an IAF officer, the police will write to the Air Force to follow proper procedure, should an arrest be warranted.

'God gave me the power to retaliate'

The incident gained attention after Bose posted a video online, claiming victimhood and stating, “God gave me the power to retaliate”.

Bose also claimed bystanders verbally abused him and sided with the attacker. But the police say video evidence shows locals were trying to defuse the situation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated on Tuesday that claims made in the viral videos contain factual inaccuracies.

D Devaraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), confirmed that people at the scene had only tried to separate the two men.

IAF statement

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said: “An unfortunate incident involving an IAF officer took place in Bengaluru on Monday. The IAF is assisting local authorities in investigating the matter and will support its lawful resolution.”