Karnataka CM condemns road rage incident involving IAF officer

Siddaramaiah also condemned the way the issue was being projected by the national media and said that it was casting aspersions on the integrity of the state.

Bengaluru: Reacting to the road rage incident in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday, said that he has 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,” he said.

Siddaramaiah, on X, however, opined that the wing commander had made “unwarranted and derogatory remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media, displaying conduct that is deeply disrespectful and inflammatory”

Further, he condemned the way the issue was being projected by the national media and said that it was casting aspersions on the integrity of the state.

However, he urged Kannadigas to stay calm and maintain peace. 

“I urge all Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion. Let us uphold the law and maintain peace,” he said. 

On Monday, a selfie video of Shiladitya Bose, a wing commander residing in the DRDO Phase 1 township in CV Raman Nagar surfaced. In the video, he was seen bleeding and claimed that he was attacked by a motorist.

Following the release of the video, police registered a criminal case against the motorist, identified as Vikas Kumar. Police booked Kumar under various BNS sections related to criminal conspiracy, causing hurt with dangerous weapons or means, and assault or use of criminal force without grave provocation, among others. Kumar was subsequently arrested.

However, further investigation revealed that Kumar had, in fact, been severely assaulted by Bose. Multiple CCTV clips showing Bose knocking Kumar down and repeatedly kicking him went viral.

Unpardonable, says DKS

Commenting on the Bengaluru road rage incident, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, said that despite assaulting a bike rider himself in an instance of road rage, wing commander Shiladitya Bose, trying to turn it into a language issue is unpardonable.

"In Karnataka, the law is the same for everyone and no one will be allowed to go scot free for violating the law. The Government of Karnataka will stand by Kannadigas through any problems they face. Those who come from outside to the state, should also realise it is their duty to respect the local language, land and water here," said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.