BENGALURU: Three men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 25-year-old chef who was allegedly dragged nearly 150 metres beneath a moving car following a road-rage confrontation near Electronics City. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 21, and the victim later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

The deceased, Ranjit Kumar Sahu, was employed as a cook at a paying guest accommodation in BTM Layout. He had travelled to Electronics City to celebrate Dasara with his friends when the confrontation took place near Pragathinagar.

The arrested men have been identified as Ajay Rabidas, Sajal Namasudra and Bijon Ray. Police are continuing their investigation and searching for the car’s owner, who remains absconding.

Argument reportedly began over speeding

According to the complaint filed by Sahu’s friend, Nitish Kumar Mukhiya, the incident occurred around 1.50 am on October 21. Mukhiya and his friends were crossing the road when a white Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire allegedly approached at high speed.

The group reportedly signalled the driver to slow down after the car narrowly missed hitting them. The occupants allegedly took offence, stopped the vehicle and returned to the spot after making a U-turn.

The argument escalated when the occupants of the car confronted the group. As the situation became more tense, Mukhiya contacted Sahu, who was resting at a nearby residence, seeking his help.

Sahu arrived at the scene, where the confrontation reportedly developed into a physical altercation involving the two groups.

Chef dragged nearly 150 metres

According to the complaint, the occupants attempted to leave the scene after the altercation. Sahu was standing in front of the vehicle when the driver allegedly accelerated, trapping him beneath the car.

The vehicle reportedly continued moving, dragging Sahu for approximately 150 metres along the road. The occupants then stopped, removed him from beneath the car and allegedly left him near the service road before fleeing.

Sahu sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Madiwala. Despite receiving treatment, he died from his injuries.

The incident has prompted a police investigation into the confrontation, the alleged use of the vehicle and the actions of those involved. The allegations are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police identify and arrest three suspects

The arrested men have been identified as Ajay Rabidas, 26, Sajal Namasudra, 19, and Bijon Ray, 27. Police said the three were taken into custody during the investigation.

Investigators reportedly faced difficulties obtaining clear CCTV footage from the location. The available footage did not clearly establish the vehicle’s details, making it difficult to identify those involved through visual evidence alone.

Police then questioned local residents, including people running roadside eateries that remain open late at night. Information gathered from these interactions, along with technical assistance, helped investigators identify the suspects and trace them.

Police said the accused claimed they had consumed alcohol before the incident. Their statements and the sequence of events are being examined as part of the investigation.

Car owner remains absconding

Police are continuing efforts to trace the owner of the car, identified in reports as Shyam Khoar. He was reportedly present with the other occupants at the time of the incident but remains untraced.

Investigators are working to establish the individual roles of those involved in the confrontation, including the person driving the vehicle and the actions that followed the alleged assault.

The case has highlighted the potentially fatal consequences of road-rage confrontations, particularly when disputes over driving behaviour escalate into violence. Police are gathering further evidence to establish responsibility and complete the investigation.