Bengaluru, Aug 17 (IANS) Karnataka Police have arrested JD(S) General Secretary Manjunath C., aka Gottigere Manjanna (65), for assaulting a traffic cop on duty in broad daylight, police said on Monday.
A video purportedly showing the incident has also gone viral on social media. The visuals of the accused leader assaulting and kicking the cop triggered concern.
Hulimavu police arrested Manjanna late on Sunday night and took him to the police station for questioning. The incident reportedly took place in the Gottigere area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Hulimavu police station.
According to the complaint, traffic police personnel Arun Manjappa Badagoudara was regulating traffic as usual when he signalled Manjanna’s vehicle to stop using a hand signal.
Manjanna allegedly objected to being stopped and confronted the traffic personnel, reportedly asking, “Why are you stopping my vehicle?”
He is accused of grabbing Arun by the collar and attempting to assault him. It is also alleged that Manjanna raised his leg in an attempt to kick the traffic police personnel.
Members of the public reportedly intervened and separated the two, preventing the situation from escalating further.
After receiving information about the incident, Hulimavu police arrested Manjanna late at night. He is currently being questioned as part of the investigation.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Electronic City M. Narayana and ACP Satish K.M.
Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and are investigating whether the confrontation occurred after Arun instructed Manjanna to stop his vehicle while he was carrying out traffic-control duties.
This incident comes days after an FIR was registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Karnataka BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda, for allegedly abusing and slapping a woman police sub-inspector during a temple dispute in the Mandya district.
Suresh Gowda, the Tumakuru Rural MLA, publicly apologised for his daughter’s behaviour, stated that anyone guilty should face legal consequences, and called for a fair inquiry.
The incident took place on August 12 at the Arathi Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, during Bhima Amavasya celebrations.
Woman Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Savitha Patil filed a complaint stating she was verbally abused, slapped, threatened, and obstructed from carrying out her duties.
–IANS
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