Bengaluru: A drunken altercation following a local cricket tournament turned deadly in southern Bengaluru when a man was deliberately run over with a car, leading to his death in the Hebbagodi police station limits, police said on Monday. The accused, a software engineer, was arrested within an hour of the incident after investigators analysed video footage from the vehicle involved.
The victim has been identified as Prashanth M (33), a bodybuilder and resident of Veerasandra. The accused is Roshan Hegde (37), a resident of KR Puram, who works as a software engineer. Police said what began as a trivial argument escalated rapidly into a violent confrontation that ended in murder.
Argument after tournament turns violent
According to senior police officials, the incident occurred after a cricket tournament held near the Electronics City area. Following the match, Prashanth and Roshan, along with others, were consuming beer on an open ground behind the M5 Ecity Mall.
During the gathering, an argument reportedly broke out between the two men over a cigarette lighter. The dispute quickly intensified, with both allegedly assaulting each other using beer bottles. In the scuffle, Roshan suffered a cut injury on his tongue.
Police said that following the clash, Roshan left the spot in his Tata Safari car, apparently attempting to flee the scene to avoid further confrontation.
Fatal chase on public road
Investigators said Prashanth chased the vehicle and managed to cling to one of its doors as the car sped away along the Veerasandra–Kammasandra Road. Despite the danger, Prashanth allegedly refused to let go of the moving vehicle.
In a shocking turn, police said Roshan deliberately accelerated the car in an attempt to shake Prashanth off. He first rammed the vehicle into a roadside tree and then crashed it into a compound wall. The impact caused severe injuries to Prashanth, who died on the spot.
“The manner in which the car was driven and the sequence of events clearly indicate that the act was intentional,” a senior police officer said while briefing reporters.
Case initially reported as accident
Police initially received a call to the 112 emergency helpline reporting the incident as a road traffic accident. A patrol team rushed to the spot and found Prashanth lying critically injured near the damaged vehicle.
However, during the preliminary inquiry, officers grew suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in the accident narrative. Further investigation, including examination of CCTV footage from nearby establishments and the vehicle’s dash camera, revealed that the crash was not accidental.
“The dash camera footage clearly captured the entire sequence, including the chase and the deliberate crashing of the vehicle,” the officer said. Based on this evidence, police registered a case of murder.
Swift arrest based on video evidence
Using the video footage and eyewitness accounts, the Hebbagodi police traced and arrested Roshan within an hour of the incident. He was taken into custody for further interrogation.
Police said the accused will be produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody after completion of formalities. The vehicle used in the crime has been seized as evidence.
Background of victim and accused
Prashanth was known locally as a bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast. Friends described him as physically strong but short-tempered, especially under the influence of alcohol. Roshan, on the other hand, is a software engineer working with a private firm and had reportedly participated in the cricket tournament earlier in the day.
Police are also investigating whether alcohol consumption played a significant role in impairing judgment and escalating the violence.
Investigation continues
The Hebbagodi police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to murder. Officers are recording statements from witnesses who were present at the ground during the initial argument and are examining whether others attempted to intervene.
Officials said they are also looking into the organisation of the cricket tournament and the availability of alcohol at the venue, as part of the broader investigation.
Conclusion
The incident has once again highlighted how minor disputes, when combined with alcohol and unchecked aggression, can spiral into fatal violence. Police have urged the public to exercise restraint and resolve conflicts peacefully, warning that impulsive acts can lead to irreversible consequences.