Odia Man Allegedly Murdered By Auto Driver In Bengaluru Over Fare

Bengaluru, June 13: A native of Odisha was allegedly murdered by an auto rickshaw driver here following a heated argument over auto fare.

The accused, S R Ashwath, a native of G Somanahalli village in Hassan’s Holenarasipura taluk has been arrested.

As per media reports, brothers Awod and Ayob from Odisha were in Bengaluru for some work. The incident happened on the day they were supposed to return to Odisha. Both the brothers were staying with their relatives at Chandapura.  They were set to board a train from Yashwantpur station.

Media reports said they took a bus to Majestic from Chandapura and hired an auto from there for the railway station. The rate fixed with mutual consent was Rs 100. However, midway the auto-rickshaw driver put the brakes and demanded that each of the brothers shell out Rs 1500 for the trip. This reportedly triggered a heated argument between them. As tempers ran high, the driver punched Awod in his face, chest and abdomen. He also attacked Ayob who tried to rescue his brother.

While Awod lay at the spot motionless, Ayob managed to run from the spot. A police patrol party rushed the victim to the KC General Hospital in Malleswaram where doctors declared him brought dead.