In a shocking incident of road rage in Bengaluru, a 24-year-old delivery agent, identified as Darshan, lost his life after a couple allegedly rammed his scooter deliberately with their car on the night of October 25, 2025. The incident has sent shockwaves across the city and is currently under investigation by the Puttenahalli police.

Sequence of events

According to police reports and video footage obtained from CCTV cameras, the tragedy began when Darshan’s scooter accidentally brushed against a car, causing minor damage to the vehicle’s right-side rear-view mirror. The car was being driven by Manoj Kumar (32), who reportedly lost his temper at the minor collision.

Darshan immediately apologised and tried to leave the scene. However, enraged by the accident, Kumar allegedly executed a U-turn, chased the delivery agent, and deliberately rammed his car into Darshan’s scooter. The impact threw Darshan and his friend, Varun, who was riding as a pillion, onto the road. Darshan sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.

CCTV evidence and aftermath

The incident was captured by nearby CCTV cameras, and the footage quickly circulated online. The video shows the car veering left to hit the scooter from behind, throwing both riders across the road. The couple allegedly returned a few minutes later to collect broken parts of their car, while still wearing masks. Police were able to identify their faces from the CCTV recordings, which led to their arrest.

Following the footage, the police escalated the case from a hit-and-run to a murder investigation.

Accused identified

The couple has been identified as Manoj Kumar, a martial arts trainer specializing in Kalaripayattu from Kerala, and his wife, Aarati Sharma (30), from Jammu and Kashmir. Both have been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

While Kumar claims that his wife was not present during the attack and only arrived later to collect parts of the damaged car, police are verifying this statement. The investigation continues into the precise role of each accused and whether the attack was premeditated.

Police statements and investigation

A senior investigating officer told the Times of India, “Losing control of himself, he [Kumar] took a U-turn, chased the scooter, and rammed it from behind…The impact threw Darshan and his pillion rider onto the road. The car didn’t stop.”

Another officer added that Kumar deliberately veered left to hit the scooter, indicating the intentional nature of the attack. Investigators are reviewing extended CCTV footage and other evidence to confirm the sequence of events and whether further charges may be warranted.

Public reaction and safety concerns

The incident has reignited discussions about road rage, traffic safety, and law enforcement in Bengaluru. Citizens and activists have called for stricter penalties for deliberate road attacks and better monitoring of high-risk areas with CCTV surveillance.

Delivery agents, who routinely navigate busy streets and often encounter aggressive drivers, are particularly vulnerable. Many in the gig economy have expressed fears over the increasing number of road rage incidents, citing long working hours and high traffic density as contributing factors.

Legal proceedings

The Puttenahalli police have registered a murder case and are examining the role of both Manoj Kumar and Aarati Sharma. Investigators are collecting witness statements, reviewing mobile phone data, and cross-checking CCTV footage from the surrounding areas.

Authorities have also advised citizens to immediately report incidents of road rage and avoid confrontations. The case will proceed in court once the judicial custody period of the accused concludes, and further investigation will determine the full extent of the legal charges.

This incident underscores the need for awareness campaigns on road safety, stricter traffic laws, and increased public vigilance to prevent tragedies arising from momentary lapses in temper on busy urban streets.

The Bengaluru police have urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement and provide any additional footage or information that may aid the ongoing investigation.

The death of Darshan is a grim reminder of how quickly ordinary traffic incidents can escalate into fatal violence and highlights the urgent need for both preventive measures and strict enforcement of road safety regulations.