BMTC staff thrash two cops to pulp

Bengaluru: Traffic on the busy Goraguntepalya junction got hit on Wednesday morning following a row between BMTC driver and conductor on one side and two traffic policemen on the other. While the BMTC driver alleged that the policemen had assaulted him and the conductor, the policemen claim they were forcibly taken into the bus to a depot, assaulted and robbed of their valuables. Both parties have filed complaints at RMC Yard police station.

The incident was reported from Goraguntepalya in Yeshwanthpur traffic police station limits around 7.30 am. The traffic policemen, Assistant Sub-Inspector Gangahanumaiah, 53, and constable Ramesh, 35, were in plainclothes and reportedly carrying out a special drive against autorickshaw drivers demanding excess fare.

While BMTC driver Shanmukha claimed that the confrontation happened when the two policemen flagged down their bus near Goraguntepalya Junction over parking row. When he asked the policemen the reason, the sub-inspector abused him. Soon, a heated argument ensued and the traffic cops boarded the bus and slapped him twice.

However the traffic cops alleged that the fight started when Shanmukha took a sudden left-turn and Ramesh had a narrow escape. The situation turned ugly after the cops took objection to it and asked the driver to stop the bus. They questioned the conductor, Manjunath, who in turn misbehaved with them cops and locked the bus doors. The policemen claimed that the driver then drove the vehicle to Sumanahalli bus depot and about 30 other employees assaulted them and robbed them of their gold chain and mobile phone.  

A senior police officer, said, “These plain clothed cops were carrying out duty and they noticed the BMTC bus parked in a haphazard manner, affecting the traffic flow. Upon questioning the cops were assaulted. Later, they were taken to a depot and beaten black and blue along with others. A few senior officials at the depot intervened and stopped the fight.” Meanwhile, clarifying on the assault incident BMTC Managing Director Ekroop Kaur said “We are still investigating the case and awaiting details. Once we have the confirmed reports at hand, we will take action against the erring staff.”

The Yeshwanthpura traffic police have slapped cases under Section 353, 324, 384, 342 and 506 B of IPC against the BMTC bus driver and conductor. The RMC Yard police are also probing the incident.