Bengaluru Students' Highway Prank with Toy Gun Ends in Police Station
Three young engineering graduates from Bengaluru learned a hard lesson about public responsibility this week. Their attempt at roadside fun during a drive through Ramanagar district resulted in a police case, station bail, and serious legal trouble.
Viral Video Triggers Police Action
On Sunday afternoon, officers from Kudur police station arrested the trio after a disturbing video spread rapidly across social media platforms. The clip showed one of the men pointing what appeared to be a pistol from the window of a moving car along the Bengaluru–Mangaluru highway.
The footage, captured by another vehicle's dashboard camera, generated immediate concern among viewers. Many people believed they were witnessing someone brandishing a real firearm on a public road. The widespread online criticism prompted police to register a case suo motu under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning public nuisance.
Toy Gun Discovery Changes Case Dynamics
Police investigations soon revealed a surprising twist. The weapon causing all the alarm was not real. Officers discovered the students had purchased a toy gun for just Rs 150 from a roadside vendor outside a temple earlier that same day.
Ramanagar Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda explained how authorities tracked down the students. "We traced the incident location to Talakere, near Kunigal," he stated. "The event actually occurred on January 16, but the video circulated later."
Using the car's license plate number visible in the viral clip, police first visited the Vijayanagar residence of one student on Sunday afternoon. They then located the other two young men at Byadarahalli. By evening, all three found themselves at Kudur police station with the toy gun seized as evidence.
Students' Shock and Regret
An investigating officer described the students' reaction when police arrived. "The students were in real shock when we reached their doorstep," he recalled. "They knew it was a toy, but people who saw the video did not. Anyone would assume it was a real pistol."
The three graduates had recently completed their engineering degrees and were actively searching for employment. Their temple visit to Chikkamagaluru was specifically for prayers about job prospects. After leaving the religious site, they made the impulsive toy gun purchase.
During their return journey to Bengaluru, the students watched social media reels showing someone holding a gun. One of them decided to imitate the scene, extending his left hand out of the car window with the toy weapon. None anticipated the serious consequences that would follow their momentary act of imitation.
Legal Consequences and Public Safety Message
Police released all three students on station bail after completing initial investigations. However, the case against them remains active, serving as a cautionary example about responsible behavior in public spaces.
This incident highlights how quickly digital content can spread misunderstanding. What the students considered harmless fun created genuine public alarm and required significant police resources to investigate properly.
The episode also demonstrates law enforcement's proactive approach to potential threats in the digital age. Police acted swiftly on social media reports before determining the actual nature of the perceived weapon.
For the three engineering graduates, their search for employment now includes navigating legal proceedings. Their experience offers a clear warning about considering public perception and potential consequences before engaging in questionable activities, even with obviously fake props.
