Bengaluru: A dramatic chase unfolded in Bengaluru after an autorickshaw driver, accused of travelling in the wrong direction on a one-way road, crashed into a scooter and later sped away with a traffic police officer still inside the vehicle. The incident, which occurred on the night of 27 November, has triggered a major police hunt for the accused driver, who abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.
Wrong-way driving leads to collision
According to the complaint filed by the traffic police officer, the incident took place between 9 pm and 9.15 pm while he was deployed for traffic regulation duty in the Sadashivanagar area. The officer noticed an autorickshaw approaching from the 10th Cross — a one-way stretch — in the wrong direction.
The autorickshaw, travelling against the legal flow of traffic, collided head-on with an oncoming scooter. The impact drew the attention of motorists and pedestrians nearby, and the officer immediately rushed towards the vehicle to question the driver about the violation.
He instructed the driver to park the autorickshaw on the roadside to prevent further obstruction and to initiate necessary checks. Witnesses said the driver initially nodded in agreement, giving the impression that he would comply with the officer’s orders.
Autorickshaw speeds off with cop inside
As the officer briefly entered the autorickshaw to continue questioning the driver, the situation escalated unexpectedly. Within seconds, the driver accelerated sharply and began speeding towards Hebbal. The officer, who was still inside the vehicle, repeatedly ordered him to stop. Instead of slowing down, the driver increased speed, putting the officer and others on the busy stretch at risk.
The officer reportedly attempted to restrain the driver and gain control, but the autorickshaw continued to lurch forward. During the struggle, the officer lost balance and fell onto the road. His walkie-talkie, which hit the ground during the fall, was completely damaged.
Two nearby policemen and a few locals rushed to assist the injured officer. He sustained minor injuries but managed to alert the police control room about the fleeing vehicle.
Driver abandons auto and escapes on foot
Following the alert, police teams began tracing the autorickshaw across multiple routes. The driver eventually abandoned the vehicle near Gangannagar and escaped on foot before the police arrived. By the time officers reached the spot, the driver had vanished into the bylanes.
Upon seizing and inspecting the autorickshaw, police discovered a dagger/knife inside the vehicle. This discovery has raised suspicions about the driver’s intent and whether he was involved in any other criminal activities prior to the incident.
Multiple charges filed
The Sadashivanagar Traffic Police have filed several charges against the unidentified driver. These include:
- Endangering public safety
- Causing an accident
- Obstructing a police officer on duty
- Damaging government property (walkie-talkie)
- Carrying a weapon in a public transport vehicle
The police have also begun checking databases of autorickshaw drivers, scanned CCTV footage along the escape route, and coordinated with neighbourhood police stations to identify and track down the accused.
Witness statements and ongoing probe
Traffic personnel and local residents who witnessed portions of the incident have provided statements. Investigators are analysing CCTV footage from Sadashivanagar, Hebbal, and Gangannagar to determine the driver’s movements and identify him clearly.
Officials have stated that the incident not only endangered the life of a police officer but also posed a significant threat to motorists and pedestrians. Wrong-way driving has become a recurring issue in several pockets of the city, especially during late hours, and authorities are expected to step up enforcement following this incident.
Conclusion
The autorickshaw driver remains at large, but police officials say they are confident of tracing and arresting him soon. The recovery of the vehicle and the presence of a weapon inside it have intensified the investigation. Meanwhile, the incident has once again highlighted the risks traffic police personnel face while enforcing road safety rules in Bengaluru.