Bengaluru Slipper Assault: Viral Road Rage Incident Sparks Outrage and Apology (June 2025)
A shocking road rage incident in Bengaluru has gone viral, showing a 28-year-old IT professional, Pankhuri Mishra, assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver with her slipper after a minor traffic dispute. The altercation, captured on video, has ignited widespread debate on road rage, migrant-local tensions, and public behavior.
Bengaluru Slipper Assault article covers:
✔What happened in the Bellandur altercation?
✔ The viral video and public reaction
✔ Police action and FIR details
✔ Pankhuri Mishra’s apology and pregnancy defense
✔ Political and social fallout in Karnataka
- Bengaluru Slipper Assault:- What Happened?
Date & Location
- May 31, 2025, around 3 PM
- Outside Centro Mall, Bellandur (a tech hub in Bengaluru) .
Bengaluru Slipper Assault, How the Altercation Started
- Pankhuri Mishra and her husband were on a two-wheeler when they allegedly brushed against an auto-rickshaw driven by Lokesh, 33, while merging lanes.
- Mishra accused Lokesh of crushing her leg, while Lokesh denied any collision, saying, “Check CCTV footage—I didn’t even touch your vehicle!”.
Bengaluru Slipper Assault, Escalation to Violence
- Lokesh began recording the argument on his phone, prompting Mishra to remove her slipper and repeatedly hit him while shouting:
“Banaega video? Chal bana video!” (“Will you make a video? Go ahead!”).
- Despite the assault, Lokesh kept filming, and the video later went viral.
- Bengaluru Slipper Assault, The Viral Video & Public Outrage,
- The clip spread rapidly on X (Twitter), amassing millions of views.
- Key accusations from netizens:
- “Pregnancy doesn’t justify violence!”.
- “Why argue in Hindi instead of Kannada?”.
Bengaluru Slipper Assault, Protests by Pro-Kannada Groups
- Auto unions and Kannada activists staged demonstrations outside Bellandur Police Station, demanding strict action against Mishra.
- Some protesters called for her expulsion from Bengaluru, citing “disrespect for locals”.
- Police Action & FIR Details
Lokesh’s Complaint
- Lokesh filed an FIR under assault and intimidation charges.
- Mishra was arrested but later released on station bail.
Mishra’s Defense
- She claimed pregnancy-induced panic and said the auto came too close, risking a miscarriage.
- Police are verifying her medical records.
- The Apology: Touching the Driver’s Feet
Public Apology Video
- On June 2, Mishra and her husband apologized to Lokesh, touching his feet in a viral clip.
- She stated:
“I love Bengaluru and Kannadigas. I panicked because I’m pregnant.”.
Mixed Reactions
- Some accepted her remorse, while others called it damage control.
- Auto unions demanded a written apology.
- Political & Social Fallout
Migrant vs. Local Tensions
- The incident reignited debates on:
- Language bias (Hindi vs. Kannada).
- Migrant workers’ integration in Bengaluru.
Legal Implications
- If convicted, Mishra could face fines or jail time under IPC Section 352 (Assault) .
- Psychological Impact & Road Safety Concerns
Mental Health Perspective
- Psychologists suggest urban stress and traffic frustration may have contributed to the extreme reaction.
- Experts recommend anger management programs for city drivers.
Road Safety Measures
- Activists demand better traffic policing in Bengaluru’s tech corridors.
- Calls for mandatory conflict resolution training for drivers.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Incident
- Road rage can escalate quickly—stay calm and avoid violence.
- Recording disputes helps hold aggressors accountable.
- Public apologies may not undo reputational damage.
- Bengaluru needs better mechanisms to handle migrant-local integration.
Key Takeaways:
- The assault highlights urban stress and cultural clashes in Bengaluru.
- Legal proceedings are ongoing—follow updates for the final verdict.
FAQs
Q1. Was the auto driver injured?
- No serious injuries, but he filed an FIR for assault.
Q2. Why did the woman attack him?
- She claimed pregnancy fears and accused him of misbehaviour.
Q3. Are there CCTV footage proofs?
- Police are reviewing footage to verify claims.
Q4. Will she face jail time?
- Possible, depending on court proceedings.
Q5. How did netizens react?
- Divided—some sympathized, others demanded punishment.
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