In Bengaluru, a city grappling with approximately 1.2 crore vehicles, disputes over parking spaces are a common daily occurrence. However, one such incident reported from Vidyaranyapura in northwest Bengaluru on Friday escalated dramatically into a large-scale confrontation, resulting in the arrest of twelve individuals on various charges.
How a Simple Request Sparked Violence
The trouble began around 8:30 PM outside the Durgaparameshwari temple in HMT Layout. A local resident, Srinath, requested that a temple security guard move a newly purchased BMW car parked too close to his main gate. The vehicle belonged to Abhishek, who is the son-in-law of Congress functionary Keshava Rajanna from Yelahanka. At the time, Abhishek, along with his wife and other family members, was inside the temple speaking with the priest to arrange a puja ceremony for the new car.
Argument Turns Physical
Abhishek's driver, Dheeraj, informed Srinath that the car would be moved only after the religious rituals were completed. Several women from Abhishek's family supported this statement. The situation quickly deteriorated when Srinath insisted on immediate removal of the vehicle. In a fit of anger, Dheeraj reportedly struck Srinath in the face. When Srinath's wife, elder brother, and sister-in-law attempted to intervene and help him, they were also assaulted by Dheeraj and three of his associates.
Mob Intervention and Temple Chase
Hearing the commotion, neighbors rushed to the scene and confronted Dheeraj and his group about their aggressive behavior. Realizing they were outnumbered, the assailants fled into the temple premises, with the angry local residents in pursuit. Inside the temple, Abhishek and others tried to calm the escalating mob, but tensions remained high.
Police Face Resistance While Trying to Control Situation
Jurisdictional police arrived at the location and attempted to mediate the conflict. An officer involved stated, "We aimed to ensure the safety of the women in Abhishek's family by relocating them. However, the local crowd opposed this action and even attacked and pushed our personnel." The arrival of additional police forces was necessary to eventually bring the volatile situation under control. All parties involved were subsequently taken to the police station for further investigation.
Legal Actions and Arrests
Following the incident, Srinath filed a formal complaint against Dheeraj and his associates—Moj, Kartik, Vinod, and Lohit—leading to their arrest on charges of assault. In a subsequent development, a police staffer from the Vidyaranyapura station lodged a separate complaint against the mob, accusing them of attacking officers and obstructing their duties. This resulted in the arrest of seven local residents, bringing the total number of arrests to twelve.
This incident highlights the intense pressures of urban living in Bengaluru, where minor disagreements can rapidly spiral into serious public disturbances, necessitating significant police intervention.
