Bengaluru witnessed two separate incidents of fatal violence involving auto drivers within a span of just 48 hours, highlighting the city’s persistent issues with roadside altercations and disputes.
In the first incident, a 36-year-old autorickshaw driver, Syed Shafi, was stabbed to death early on Monday morning near a bar in Abbigere. Shafi, a resident of Razaqsab Palya in Bagalur, was reportedly seated in his autorickshaw outside Meena Bar on the main road at around 1:30 a.m. when a drunken altercation turned fatal. According to Chikkabanavara Police Station officials, the accused, identified as Darshan alias Das, had come to the bar with friends. After the bar closed, the group stepped outside, and Darshan allegedly accused Shafi of staring at him, sparking a heated argument. The situation escalated when Darshan, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, pulled out a dagger and stabbed Shafi in the right side of his chest. Another person inside the autorickshaw fled the scene upon witnessing the attack. Shafi collapsed due to severe bleeding and was declared dead at the spot. The police have registered a case and arrested Darshan in connection with the murder.
The second incident occurred on Sunday evening in Ramanasandra, Kumbalagodu, where a 25-year-old auto driver, Rakshith N, was allegedly beaten to death over a financial dispute. Rakshith, the second son of Pushpalatha (49), a resident of Uday Layout, Tavarekere, had left home around 6 p.m. on May 24 after meeting his friend Mohin Pasha from Kambipura. Mohin had reportedly told Rakshith that he would help recover money owed to him. However, Rakshith did not return home, prompting his mother to visit Kambipura the next day to question Mohin. During the confrontation, Mohin reportedly confessed to assaulting Rakshith over financial matters near a lake in Ramanasandra. Police investigations revealed that Mohin, along with his relative Hasan, allegedly attacked Rakshith using wooden sticks before bludgeoning him to death. The accused then allegedly dumped Rakshith’s body in a pit located in a vacant area in Ramanasandra before fleeing the scene. Based on Pushpalatha’s complaint, the police have registered a case against Mohin and Hasan for murder and are continuing their search for the accused.
The two incidents underscore the rising incidents of violence in Bengaluru, often fueled by alcohol-related disputes or financial conflicts. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid confrontations and report suspicious activities promptly to prevent such tragic outcomes. The Chikkabanavara and Kumbalagodu police stations are actively investigating both cases, with efforts underway to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
As the city grapples with safety concerns, community leaders and police officials are emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance, especially in areas with a high concentration of bars and nightlife activities. The recurrence of such violent incidents has raised questions about law enforcement’s effectiveness in curbing roadside altercations and ensuring public safety during late-night hours.
