Bengaluru investor says bike-borne men pretended to be hurt, demanded Rs 10,000: ‘Tried to chase me’

Kiran Rajput requested the Bengaluru Police to take action, noting that CCTV cameras were installed at the location and would likely have captured the faces of the two men and their vehicle number plates. (AI-generated image)

A Bengaluru-based investor has alleged that recently, two bike-borne men pretended to be injured in order to extort money from him near Richmond Circle, renewing concerns around traffic-related scams and public safety in the city.

In a detailed post on X, Kiran Rajput said the incident took place on January 5 between 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm, near the Cubbon Park Gate opposite Café Coffee Day on Vittal Mallya Road. Rajput said he was returning from the office when a young man on an electric scooter began hitting his car window, claiming the vehicle had struck his leg.

‘Started hitting my window, claiming his leg was hurt’

“I was on a bluetooth call, cut the call, and told him sorry, joined my hands. Usually I don’t get into fights in traffic,” Rajput wrote. He added that the man began shouting and demanded water, claiming to be hurt. Because traffic was moving, Rajput said he did not stop his car.

According to Rajput, a second man on a bike soon joined in, chasing his car and urging him to stop. “I felt suspicious and sped up after the signal. I thought they will not follow me,” he said. However, the two allegedly pursued him for nearly two kilometres.

Rajput said he eventually stopped near Cubbon Park Gate, where both men confronted him. The man who had claimed injury began shouting abuses and threats, including religious invocations, while insisting that Rajput had “run away”.

“I know you people bully us, because we are 1 and you are 2,” Rajput quoted the man as saying, adding he did not understand the reference.

He said the second man attempted to “negotiate”, telling him to settle the matter. By this time, Rajput said he became convinced the episode was a scam, especially after the men allegedly began demanding money.

“They started to negotiate with me from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000,” he wrote.

Rajput said he remained inside the car with the doors locked, conscious that his laptop was placed behind the driver’s seat. He claimed the discussion dragged on for 10 to 15 minutes, during which the men insisted on cash payment and even suggested going to a nearby ATM after he told them he had no cash.

Investor calls police as biker chases him

The situation ended when Rajput dialled the police emergency number. “That’s when I reassured myself my car was locked – I just left them and ran towards the road. Dialed 100. One of them tried to chase me, the moment he realised I dialed 100 – he went back, and both of them ran away,” he said.

Rajput said a police officer arrived within 10 minutes and interacted with him “nicely”. He identified the officer as Hiremath, describing him as “ex army & a nice gentleman”, and said the officer encouraged him to call directly if faced with a similar situation again.

In his post, Rajput tagged Bengaluru City Police and requested action, noting that CCTV cameras were installed at the location and would likely have captured the faces of the two men and their vehicle number plates. He added that in the panic, he could not note down their details. Rajput also said police had reached out to him through direct messages and he had shared his mobile number with them.

“A few months back, my friend – while driving was scammed in a similar way, he was extorted Rs 5,000,” Rajput said, urging police to act against the alleged offenders and ensure his family’s safety.

He also advised motorists to install dashcams and not hesitate to contact the police. “Don’t be fearful of police – just dial 100 or 112,” he wrote.

Social media users share similar experiences

Rajput’s post triggered several responses from users who claimed to have faced similar experiences in Bengaluru. One user wrote, “Had the exact same experience. It was two guys on a scooter for me. I knew I hadn’t run over his foot, but they made me believe I had.”

Another recalled a similar episode near Thanisandra Road, claiming the individuals later followed him into a mall along with women wearing burqas, allegedly making threatening remarks.

Similar incident of road rage in Bengaluru

In a separate episode, a viral video recently showed a two-wheeler rider allegedly threatening a car driver with a knife near a traffic signal close to Nexus Shantiniketan Mall in Whitefield.

Police said the incident took place around 6 pm on January 16, after the car driver objected to the rider’s alleged reckless behaviour, including lane-cutting, stunt riding and riding without a helmet. In the video, the rider is seen stepping off his vehicle while holding what appeared to be a dagger. Police have said they are examining the footage and have initiated action.

Rajput, meanwhile, said he hopes his account serves as a warning to others. “Stay safe out there,” he wrote.