Bengaluru: A dispute over an autorickshaw fare allegedly led to the murder of a 46-year-old lawyer-turned-actor in Annapoorneshwari Nagar, with police arresting an auto driver in connection with the case. The victim, Sriram, died on October 9 after collapsing near Nagarabhavi Ring Road following an alleged assault.

The case was initially registered as an unnatural death after patrolling police personnel shifted Sriram to a hospital, where he died at around 3 pm despite treatment. However, the investigation took a different turn after his family noticed injuries on his body and began making inquiries about the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to a senior police officer, the family learnt that Sriram had reportedly quarrelled with an autorickshaw driver on the day of the incident. They subsequently lodged a complaint with the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police, prompting further investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

Preliminary investigations indicated that an argument over the fare had escalated into an assault. Police said the accused allegedly followed Sriram after he decided not to take the autorickshaw, abused him and attacked him with the assistance of associates.

The police later questioned the accused and examined the evidence gathered during the investigation. Based on the findings, the case was treated as murder. Further investigation is under way.

Argument over autorickshaw fare

According to the preliminary findings, Sriram was walking near Ambedkar College when he hailed an autorickshaw to travel home. An argument reportedly broke out between him and the driver, identified in the account as Pritviraj, 31, over the fare.

Sriram subsequently decided not to take the autorickshaw and continued walking. However, the driver allegedly followed him, abused him and assaulted him.

Police investigations indicated that the attack escalated when the accused allegedly assaulted Sriram on the head with the help of his associates, causing serious injuries.

The accused also allegedly took Sriram’s mobile phone and money before fleeing the scene. These details form part of the preliminary account of the incident being examined by investigators.

Despite the assault, Sriram continued walking for some distance. He eventually collapsed near Nagarabhavi Ring Road, reportedly because of the injuries he had sustained.

The circumstances of the alleged attack became central to the investigation after his family raised concerns about the injuries found on his body.

Case initially registered as unnatural death

When Sriram collapsed, patrolling police personnel shifted him to a hospital for treatment. He died at around 3 pm on October 9 despite medical intervention.

The police initially registered an unnatural death report (UDR), as the circumstances surrounding his death had not yet been established.

The case changed direction after Sriram’s family noticed injuries on his body and began asking questions about what had happened. Their inquiries reportedly led them to information about an argument between Sriram and an autorickshaw driver on the day he died.

The family then approached the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police and lodged a complaint. The complaint prompted investigators to examine the alleged confrontation and the events leading up to Sriram’s collapse.

A senior police officer said the family’s concerns and subsequent inquiries played an important role in bringing the alleged assault to the attention of investigators.

The police then questioned the accused and assessed the evidence collected during the investigation. Following these developments, the case was treated as murder rather than an unexplained or unnatural death.

Post-mortem findings and police investigation

The post-mortem report indicated that blood clotting had contributed to Sriram’s death. Investigators considered the medical findings alongside the information gathered about the alleged assault.

Police said they questioned the accused and reached their conclusion based on evidence that had been gathered and verified. The investigation is continuing to establish the full sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The reported involvement of associates in the alleged assault is also part of the account provided by investigators. The source information does not specify whether additional arrests have been made in connection with the case.

The police have arrested an auto driver identified in the report as Megharaj. The preliminary account separately names Pritviraj, 31, as the driver allegedly involved in the confrontation. The available information does not clarify the discrepancy between these names.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the accused are subject to the legal process.

Family’s complaint leads to murder investigation

The case highlights how the circumstances surrounding Sriram’s death came under closer scrutiny after his family noticed injuries and sought an explanation.

Initially treated as an unnatural death, the incident was subsequently investigated as a suspected murder after the family lodged a complaint and police examined the alleged fare dispute.

According to the preliminary findings, what began as an argument over an autorickshaw journey allegedly escalated into a violent assault. Sriram reportedly collapsed after continuing to walk away from the scene and later died in hospital.

Police have arrested an auto driver in connection with the case and said further investigation is under way. Investigators are continuing to examine the evidence surrounding the alleged assault, the reported theft of Sriram’s belongings and the events that led to his death.