Air Force officer faces attempted murder charge in road rage case

In a major twist to a Bengaluru road rage case, Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose has been charged with attempted murder after CCTV footage revealed that he allegedly initiated the confrontation. Bose, who earlier claimed to be the victim, now faces serious legal trouble after a counter-complaint was filed by the biker involved.

The incident unfolded early on April 21, when Vikas Kumar SJ, a biker, alleged that a red Haryana-registered car blocked his path. Vikas said when he confronted the driver, Bose abused him, grabbed his collar, and assaulted him. CCTV footage from nearby cameras reportedly confirmed that Bose was the aggressor, contradicting his earlier social media claims.

Initially, Bose had posted a video stating that he was attacked for being a non-Kannadiga and that his wife was insulted due to a DRDO sticker on their car. He claimed he was hit with a key by the biker, leading to a forehead injury. His wife Madhumita echoed the allegations, saying the biker threatened them, invoking regional language issues.

However, Vikas's side painted a different picture. In his complaint, Vikas accused Bose of throwing his bike, smashing his phone, and threatening him using his Air Force credentials. Vikas’s mother, Jyothi, strongly refuted the officer’s narrative, calling Bose a "rowdy" and demanding a public apology and compensation.

The Bengaluru Police have registered a case against Bose under multiple sections, including attempt to cause grievous harm, voluntarily causing hurt, snatching, and criminal assault. Officials confirmed that they are closely reviewing CCTV footage and witness testimonies to proceed with the case.

Vikas Kumar’s family has vowed to fight legally, even planning to file a defamation case against Bose. “The law is the same for everyone," Jyothi said, adding that Bose’s military tag does not give him the right to misuse his position or harass civilians.