‘Thrashed with slippers’: Bengaluru techie held for assaulting auto driver; video goes viral

BENGALURU: A 28-year-old woman was arrested Sunday for allegedly assaulting an autorickshaw driver with her slippers in Bellandur.

The accused, Pankhuri Mishra, a software engineer residing in Green Glen Layout, was released on station bail after police recorded her statement.

According to cops, the incident occurred around 3.30pm Saturday when Pankhuri and her husband, who were on a two-wheeler, got into a dispute with the auto driver, Lokesh, 33. She claimed the auto had brushed against their vehicle, leading to an argument.


When Lokesh began recording the argument on his phone, Pankhuri allegedly hit him with her slippers and assaulted him.

She later told police she was pregnant and on her way to a medical check-up at the time, though officials said this claim is still being verified.

Lokesh filed a complaint with Bellandur police.

A video of the altercation went viral, prompting public outrage and protests from pro-Kannada activists, who alleged that a local driver was attacked by an outsider.