Bengaluru: An off-duty police head constable was allegedly stabbed on a dimly lit stretch of Jayamahal Main Road in Bengaluru shortly after celebrating his birthday, with investigators probing conflicting versions of the incident.

The injured officer, Vijay Rathod, a head constable attached to the DJ Halli Police Station, is undergoing treatment and is reported to be out of danger.

Constable claims he intervened to help woman

According to Rathod’s complaint, he was returning home on his motorcycle after celebrating his birthday with friends when he noticed a man allegedly following and harassing a woman on Jayamahal Main Road.

Although he was off duty and outside his jurisdiction, Rathod said he identified himself as a police officer and confronted the man, asking him to stop harassing the woman. The suspect allegedly fled, while the woman also left the scene.

Rathod claimed that after he resumed his journey and stopped near the TV Tower, the same man returned armed with a dagger and attacked him, inflicting injuries to his head and hand before escaping.

He later alerted fellow police personnel, who shifted him to hospital for treatment.

Police verify multiple angles

The RT Nagar Police have registered a case based on Rathod’s complaint and launched an investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage from the area and questioning a suspect who has been taken into custody.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Babasab Nemagoud said the First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on the officer’s statement, but the exact sequence of events would be confirmed only after the investigation and questioning of the suspect.

Police are also verifying the suspect’s criminal background, particularly because he was allegedly carrying a dagger.

CCTV raises fresh questions

Investigators said preliminary examination of CCTV footage from the scene did not show the presence of any woman at the location, prompting them to explore other possible circumstances surrounding the attack.

The incident is considered significant as Central Crime Branch (CCB) teams were conducting a special operation in the area that night to monitor habitual offenders and prevent crime.

Police said further clarity is expected after analysing additional CCTV footage and completing the interrogation of the suspect.