A minor argument over cigarettes turned into a horrifying act of violence in South Bengaluru, where a software engineer lost his life and another was injured after being hit by a car.

The incident occurred around 4:10 am on May 10 near Konanakunte Cross. Sanjay H N (29) died from severe injuries, while his friend Chetan Pujamath (30) sustained minor wounds. Both worked remotely for software firms.

According to police, the two had gone out for a late-night dinner and stopped at a roadside tea stall on their Yamaha R15. Around the same time, Pratheek H (32), a sales manager at a maida factory, arrived at the stall with his wife in a Hyundai Creta after attending a birthday celebration.

Pratheek allegedly asked Pujamath to buy him cigarettes. When Pujamath declined, an argument erupted. Pratheek stepped out and began verbally abusing him. Sanjay intervened, pushing Pratheek away to calm things down.

Though Pratheek’s wife managed to get him back into the car, he allegedly threatened the two, stating he “wouldn’t let them go.”

As Sanjay and Pujamath attempted a U-turn on Kanakapura Main Road, Pratheek allegedly accelerated his vehicle and rammed their bike. Pujamath was thrown onto the bonnet, while Sanjay suffered a brutal fall onto the pavement.

Pratheek fled, but Pujamath rushed his friend to a hospital. Sanjay died from his injuries days later. The police have since arrested Pratheek and upgraded the charge from attempted murder to murder.