In a disturbing road rage incident, six men allegedly intercepted a school bus near Hebbagodi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, and assaulted the driver on Monday. The altercation took place around 3:45 pm while the bus, driven by James Dhon, was carrying at least 10 schoolchildren home. A video of the assault, shared on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained attention, causing alarm among parents and the wider community.
The Incident
According to reports, the trouble began when the driver of a Mahindra Scorpio (bearing the registration number KA 01 MB 5796) attempted to overtake the bus. However, due to the narrow road and heavy traffic, Dhon, the bus driver, was unable to give way. Frustrated by the situation, the men in the car honked persistently, demanding the bus make room. Unable to do so, Dhon continued driving, which reportedly angered the men.
The situation escalated when the Scorpio intercepted the bus and forced it to stop. The attackers forcibly removed Dhon from the driver’s seat and began assaulting him in front of the children. Eyewitnesses reported that the schoolchildren were terrified and bewildered as the violence unfolded, with several of them seen crying in the viral video.
Police Response
Following the incident, Dhon lodged a formal complaint with the Hebbagodi police later that evening. The police quickly swung into action, filing an FIR under several sections of the Bangalore Police Act (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt (section 115(2)), wrongful restraint (section 126(2)), and unlawful assembly (section 190).
Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police CK Baba confirmed that three of the six suspects were arrested shortly after the complaint was filed. The police tracked the men using the vehicle’s registration details, leading to the seizure of the car and the arrest of the accused. However, a manhunt is still underway for the remaining suspects, with police confident of their imminent capture.
Safety Concerns and Road Rage
This incident has reignited concerns about road rage and public safety, particularly with schoolchildren involved. Authorities have reassured citizens that they are working diligently to ensure that those responsible face justice. In the wake of the attack, the Bengaluru Rural Police have urged citizens who experience or witness road rage to report incidents immediately by calling 112.
SP CK Baba explained, “This incident stemmed from the car occupants’ frustration at being unable to overtake the bus. We are taking the matter very seriously, especially given the presence of children who were understandably scared by the violence.”
Parents expressed outrage and concern over the safety of their children in public spaces, with many calling for stricter measures against road rage offenders. The viral nature of the video has brought even more attention to the incident, sparking online discussions about the rising cases of aggression on Bengaluru’s roads.