A very shocking incident of road rage has come to light from Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru. Here, a 29-year-old software engineer was killed and his friend injured after being hit by a car. This comes after a drunk driver deliberately rammed his motorcycle into them.
The incident follows a petty argument over a cigarette. The deadly incident occurred in the early hours of May 10 near Konanakunte Cross in Bengaluru.
Cigarette Demand Leads to Death
According to police reports, Sanjay and Chetan were working from home on the night of May 10. They allegedly stepped out at around 3:50 AM for a cup of tea. While they were near a roadside tea stall, a Hyundai Creta pulled up next to them. The driver of the creta identified as Pratheek, was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident. He was returning from a birthday party with his wife. He then asked the duo to buy him a cigarette from the tea stall.
However, Chetan refused and suggested that he should purchase his own cigarette. Soon an argument broke out between the group. The onlookers, along with Pratheek’s wife, intervened and diffused the situation. As the matter calmed down the techies rode off on their motorcycle.
Deliberate Crash Captured on CCTV
However the situation took a drastic turn when Sanjay and Chetan were taking a U-turn near Konanakunte Cross. Aggrieved, Pratheek followed them in his Creta around the corner. In a drastic step, Pratheek deliberately rammed his car into their bike. The footage of the crash was captured on the CCTV.
The collision was so severe that it sent the motorcycle crashing into a shop’s shutter. Chetan sustained minor injuries after being thrown onto the car’s bonnet. While Sanjay suffered a critical head injury after falling onto the pavement and was rendered unconscious.
Following the incident the duo was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital. But Sanjay succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Attempt to Murder Charge Upgraded to Murder
Pratheek was initially booked for attempted murder when the incident occurred. However, the case against him was upgraded to murder following Sanjay’s unfortunate death. Pratheek has since been remanded to judicial custody. Furthermore, the Police have confirmed that Pratheek’s wife had no role in the alleged crime.
Victim Identified, Friend Injured
According to reports, the deceased has been identified as HN Sanjay. The victim is reportedly a resident of Vajarahalli, a mid-segment locality in Bangalore. His friend, Chetan Pujamath, 30-years-old sustained injuries but survived the attack. Pujamath is a fellow software engineer residing in JP Nagar 7th Phase.
Meanwhile, the accused, Pratheek, 30-years-old, is a BCom graduate and manager at a private firm. Pratheek reportedly lives in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
Investigation ongoing
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among Bengaluru’s tech community. The case is a stark reminder highlighting the dangers of drunk driving. The CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying the accused and confirming the deliberate nature of the attack. Meanwhile, the Police have confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
