FIR filed against former MP Anantkumar Hegde in road rage assault case

Bengaluru: Former BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde has been named as the third accused in a road rage incident near Nelamangala, in which a young businessman was allegedly assaulted by Hegde’s gunman and driver. The incident occurred on Monday while Hegde was travelling from Tumakuru to Bengaluru.

According to police sources, Saif Khan (28), a resident of Nelamangala, was travelling with his family in a car when he allegedly failed to give way to Hegde’s SUV, despite repeated honking. This reportedly enraged the former MP’s driver and gunman, who overtook Khan’s vehicle near Hale Nijagal village and forced it to a halt.

The duo then allegedly pulled Khan out of his car and physically assaulted him, causing him injuries including the loss of a tooth. The gunman involved in the incident is reportedly a serving police constable.

Eyewitnesses and passersby intervened and prevented the SUV from fleeing the scene. The Dobbaspet Police were informed and soon reached the location, detaining the gunman and the driver on the spot.

Initially, the case was registered against the two aides of Hegde, but following pressure from Khan’s family, the former MP’s name was added to the FIR. The family alleged that Hegde had instigated the assault and demanded that he be held accountable for his role.

The FIR has been registered at Dobbaspet Police Station under Sections 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint), 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 351(4) (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.