Bengaluru: A Kalaripayattu martial arts trainer and his wife have been arrested for allegedly killing a 24-year-old food delivery agent in what police have described as a deliberate act of road rage. The shocking incident occurred on the night of October 25 at Nataraja Layout, sending shockwaves across Bengaluru after CCTV footage revealed that the couple had intentionally rammed their car into the victim’s scooter following a minor brush.
Victim hit after minor collision
According to police reports, the accused have been identified as Manoj Kumar (32), a native of Kerala, and his wife Aarati Sharma (30), from Jammu & Kashmir. The couple, who have been married for five years, were arrested after investigators pieced together CCTV footage showing their car chasing and deliberately hitting the victim’s vehicle.
The victim, Darshan (24), a food delivery agent from Kembattalli, was killed on the spot after the car struck his gearless scooter from behind. His friend Varun, who was riding pillion, sustained injuries. Darshan, a bachelor, is survived by his parents and sister.
Police said the incident began around 9 pm, when Darshan’s scooter accidentally brushed against the right-side rear-view mirror of Manoj Kumar’s car. Although Darshan reportedly apologised and continued to deliver his order, Kumar, in a fit of rage, made a U-turn, chased the scooter, and rammed into it from behind before fleeing the scene.
CCTV footage exposes deliberate act
Local residents rushed to the spot to help the injured men and took them to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared Darshan brought dead. Initially, Darshan’s sister lodged a hit-and-run complaint with JP Nagar Traffic Police, unaware that the collision had been intentional.
However, CCTV footage obtained from nearby establishments revealed that the car had deliberately chased and hit the scooter. Following this, the case was transferred to the Puttenahalli police, who registered a murder case against the couple.
Investigators later discovered that around 9.40 pm, the accused returned to the scene wearing face masks, attempting to collect broken parts of their car that had come off during the collision. The same CCTV cameras captured their faces during this visit, helping police identify them.
Couple confesses after arrest
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Lokesh Jagalasar confirmed the arrests, stating that both Manoj and Aarati had confessed to their involvement during interrogation. “The evidence, including CCTV footage and witness accounts, clearly established the couple’s deliberate actions,” the DCP said, according to a report by The Times of India.
Police said Manoj, a trained Kalaripayattu instructor, and his wife Aarati had been living in Bengaluru for several years. Their car, which was damaged in the collision, has been seized for forensic examination. The couple is currently in police custody and is expected to be produced before a magistrate.
City in shock over violent road rage
The case has drawn widespread condemnation from residents and social media users, many expressing concern over rising instances of road rage in Bengaluru. Local authorities have urged citizens to stay calm in traffic disputes and report incidents to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.
Police sources indicated that investigators are also probing whether Manoj had any prior history of aggression or violent behaviour, given his background as a martial arts trainer.
Darshan’s family and friends are demanding strict punishment for the accused. His colleagues in the food delivery community gathered at the Puttenahalli police station to seek justice, saying the young man lost his life for a trivial incident.
The tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of how momentary anger on the road can lead to irreversible loss. Police have reiterated that such offences will be treated as culpable homicide or murder, depending on the intent established through evidence.