JD(S) leader arrested for assaulting Bengaluru traffic cop

Janata Dal (Secular) state general secretary Gottigere Manja (also known as Manjunath alias Gottigere Manjanna) was arrested for allegedly assaulting an on-duty traffic police constable in Bengaluru. The incident occurred around 4pm on Sunday at Gottigere, when constable Arun M Badagowdar stopped Manja's vehicle with a hand signal to allow oncoming traffic to pass.

According to police complaints cited by the Times of India and Deccan Herald, Manja objected, grabbed the constable by his collar, and attempted to assault him. A viral mobile video shows Manja allegedly kicking the constable while speaking to a senior police officer on the phone. The Times of India reports that the constable was later made to apologise to Manja, a move that angered junior police personnel and prompted public intervention.

The Hulimavu police registered a case under charges including assault on a public servant, the Deccan Herald reports. Manja was arrested after hiding in a private hotel and was produced before a court. Joint commissioner of police Ramesh Banoth said an investigation is under way.