hc-grants-relief-to-iaf-officer-in-b-luru-road-rage-case

The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order protecting Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose.

 

The order restrains Bengaluru city police from arresting or taking any coercive action against him. The directive was passed on 24 April by Justice Hemant Chandangoudar. It came after Bose filed a petition seeking to quash an FIR registered against him.

 

The case involves a road rage incident that took place on 21 April near CV Raman Nagar in Bengaluru. Bose initially filed a complaint against Vikas Kumar SJ, a call centre employee. He alleged that Kumar assaulted him.

 

However, Kumar later filed a counter-complaint. In his version, he accused Bose of assaulting him instead. As a result, a second FIR was registered against Bose. This included a charge of attempt to murder.

 

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A video of the incident surfaced online and quickly went viral. It appeared to show Bose hitting Kumar. This contradicted Bose’s earlier claim on social media that he was attacked for not speaking Kannada. The video sparked outrage. Pro-Kannada groups and many others demanded action.

 

The High Court’s interim order stated that Bose could not be arrested. He may be summoned for questioning, but only as per legal procedure. The police have also been told not to file a charge sheet without court permission. The court added that Bose must cooperate fully with the investigation.

 

The case has sparked a wider debate. Critics say police acted slowly against Bose but moved quickly to arrest Kumar. Kumar’s family alleged bias in how the case was handled. They claimed police delayed registering their complaint.

 

Bose’s lawyer, Suyog Herele, clarified that Kumar’s first FIR did not name Bose. But he acknowledged that later allegations directly involved the officer.

 

The case also drew a response from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He directed police to act strictly, regardless of anyone’s status. He condemned both the assault and Bose’s comments on social media targeting Karnataka and its people.