Bangalore traffic will teach you patience: Karnataka High Court refuses to quash road rage case against techie

The Karnataka High Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea to quash an attempt to murder case arising out of an alleged road rage incident involving a Bengaluru-based software engineer.

Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that road rage cannot be lightly excused.

"If you have no patience, then there is nothing to do. Bangalore traffic will teach you patience. But you should have it. No road rages will be pardoned," held the Court.

The case stemmed from an incident reported on October 26, 2025, when a couple and their child were travelling on a Honda Dio scooter from Tindlu towards Indiranagar in Bengaluru. Near the MS Ramaiah Hospital signal, a red Tata car had allegedly rammed into the scooter from behind, causing all three on the two-wheeler to fall onto the road. It was alleged that the collision occurred as a result of road rage.

The scooter driver reportedly suffered injuries to the left side of his ribs as a result of the fall.

Following the incident, the police initially registered a case under Section 281 of the IPC (rash driving on a public way) and Section 125(A) of the IPC (acts endangering life or personal safety), along with Sections 134(A) and 134(B) of the Motor Vehicles Act (duty of a driver involved in an accident to assist the injured and report the incident) and Section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act (penalty for failing to comply with those duties).

Later, when the matter was transferred from the traffic police to the Sadashivnagar Police Station, Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (attempt to murder) was added to the case.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate HM Gopal submitted that the case arose out of a road traffic accident and argued that there was no motive or intention on the petitioner’s part.

"An attempt to murder case has been registered without any statement. The petitioner had no malicious intent," argued Gopal.

The counsel stressed that the matter lacked any deliberate intent to cause harm.

It was also pointed out that the individuals involved were on their way to work when the incident occurred.

The Court, however, noted that road rage itself could become the trigger for serious offences and indicated that it was not inclined to intervene at the current stage of the investigation.

When Gopal continued to press the plea, the Court remarked that the petitioner could approach the Court again after the investigation progressed.

“Come after charge sheet,” directed the Court.

Ultimately, the Court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition, noting that he could approach the Court again if the final report went against him.