Amid the growing controversy the Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order. The order restrains the Bengaluru city police from taking any coercive action, including arrest, against Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose.

The case revolves around a road rage incident that occurred on April 21 near C V Raman Nagar. The direction was passed by Justice Hemant Chandangoudar on April 24. The direction followed a petition filed by the IAF officer. The petition challenged the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against him.

Cross-Complaints and Public Outrage

According to reports the Bengaluru road rage incident initially led to the registration of an FIR based on a complaint by Wing Commander Bose. The FIR by the commander’s complaint alleged assault by Vikas Kumar S J, a call centre employee. However, soon Kumar filed a counter-complaint, resulting in a second FIR being registered against the officer. This FIR included a charge of attempt to murder against the IAF officer Shiladitya Bose.

The video footage of the altercation surfaced all over social media gaining significant public attention. The video seemingly contradicted Bose’s initial claims on social media that he was attacked for not speaking Kannada.

The video footage appeared to show the IAF officer assaulting Vikas Kumar. The viral video led to widespread condemnation on social media. The netizens demanded action against Bose from pro-Kannada groups and the public.

High Court’s Intervention

Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar, said “that the IAF officer must not be arrested and should only be summoned for questioning in accordance with law. Respondent No.1 (Bengaluru police) shall not take any coercive action and shall not summon the petitioner without following due procedure of law. The petitioner shall cooperate with the investigation”.

The Karnataka High Court granted interim relief responding to the petition filed by Wing Commander Bose seeking to quash the proceedings against him. The court directed the Bengaluru police not to take any coercive action against the officer.

The court also stated that he should only be summoned for questioning in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the court instructed the police not to file a charge sheet in the case without the court’s permission. The Karnataka High Court single-judge bench also emphasised that Wing Commander Bose must cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.

Allegations of Preferential Treatment

However, tensions are running high as the High Court’s decision to grant protection to the IAF officer has sparked debate. The debate is allegedly over the potential preferential treatment by the police. According to reports, Vikas Kumar’s family had earlier alleged that the police were slow to register a case against the Wing Commander. Meanwhile, Kumar himself was arrested shortly after the initial complaint by Bose’s wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta.

Representing Bose, Advocate Suyog Herele, clarified that the initial FIR against unknown persons was due to Kumar not naming Bose in his complaint. However, he also acknowledged that the allegations and charges in the FIR are specific to Bose’s case.

Government Stance

In addition, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah previously directed the Bengaluru police to take stringent action in the matter. He said that strict action is necessary irrespective of the individuals’ official positions. He condemned the alleged assault and the subsequent derogatory remarks made by the IAF officer on social media regarding Karnataka and its people.