Bengaluru: A traffic police constable was allegedly assaulted while on duty at Gottigere after a man identified as Manjunath alias Gottigere Manjanna, JD(S) state general secretary, objected to his vehicle being stopped by traffic police Sunday evening.The incident occurred around 4pm when constable Arun, attached to Hulimavu traffic police station, was regulating traffic at Gottigere, a few metres from the station. He stopped Manjanna’s vehicle using a hand signal to allow vehicles travelling in the opposite direction to pass.According to the complaint, Manjanna questioned the constable about stopping his vehicle. During the argument, he allegedly tried to assault him, grabbed him by the collar and attempted to attack him with the help of his aide.A Hulimavu traffic officer said that after the incident, Manjanna called a senior police officer and complained about the constable stopping his vehicle. A mobile phone video that has gone viral shows Manjanna, while speaking to the officer, allegedly attempting to kick the constable.Later, the constable was allegedly made to apologise to Manjanna. However, the move by senior officers did not go down well with junior police personnel. The situation soon escalated, prompting members of the public and Hulimavu traffic police to intervene and separate the two.Deputy commissioner of police (South-Traffic) said, “By the time the incident came to our notice, the constable had gone home. We have called him back to enquire about the incident.”Joint commissioner of police (East) Ramesh Banoth said a case had been registered at Hulimavu police station in connection with the incident and an investigation was under way.Another senior officer said the case was registered under charges of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, along with other appropriate sections.
