Bengaluru: Former Uttara Kannada MP and senior BJP leader Anantkumar Hegde has been booked by Dobbespet police in connection with a violent road-rage incident that occurred on Monday evening near Hale Nijagal on the Bengaluru-Pune National Highway.
The FIR names Hegde as the prime accused, alongside his driver Mahesh and personal gunman Sridhar.
According to the complaint filed by Saif Khan, a resident of Vasantapura, the incident unfolded when Khan attempted to overtake Hegde’s Mahindra XUV-700 with his Toyota Innova, which was carrying women passengers.
Following the attempt, Hegde’s vehicle allegedly blocked Khan's car, leading to a physical altercation. Saif claimed that Hegde’s aides dragged him and others out of the Innova and physically assaulted them. Women in Khan’s vehicle were also reportedly manhandled.
One of the women began recording the confrontation, visuals of which reportedly show men from Hegde’s vehicle punching and slapping the victims. As tensions escalated, two women ran out of the vehicle and shouted for help, drawing the attention of passersby. A crowd quickly gathered, which prompted Hegde’s driver to attempt to flee the scene.
Attack on Muslim Family
Former Union minister & Uttara Kannada MP #AnantKumar Hegde once again proves that some leaders think a gunman is a license to act like a street thug. Unable to digest being overtaken near #NammaBengaluru, along with his personal goon squad, allegedly… pic.twitter.com/KRHBUaTvgf
Saif alleged that his teeth were broken in the assault. He later filed a complaint after receiving treatment at a local health centre.
Police have registered a case under IPC Sections 117 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 74 (assault with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty). All sections are bailable.
Hegde’s gunman Sridhar has been accused of brandishing his licensed weapon to threaten the victims. In his statement to police, Sridhar said he acted out of duty to protect the former MP, who allegedly faces life threats.
