Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Vikas Marmat, a 2019-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, and three of his friends for allegedly abusing and assaulting a police inspector during a late-night pub raid in the city.
The incident reportedly took place at around 1:30 am last Friday, when police personnel conducting inspections at pubs and other establishments asked customers to produce identity cards. According to the FIR, Marmat and his friends allegedly argued with the officers, abused them and assaulted the inspector after being asked to show identification.
The incident came to public attention after a video purportedly showing the IAS officer and his friends arguing with and abusing police personnel went viral on social media on Tuesday.
The FIR was registered at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park police station.
IAS Officer Vikas Marmat and Three Friends Named in FIR
The IAS officer named in the case has been identified as Vikas Marmat, an Andhra Pradesh-cadre officer serving as Project Director of the Kuppam Area Development Authority in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh.
His three friends have been identified as Abhay Uday Singh, Nitesh and Roshan. All four have been named in connection with the alleged incident.
According to the FIR, the confrontation began when police personnel asked Marmat to produce his identity card during an inspection at a pub. The officer and his friends allegedly became angry and entered into an argument with the police team.
The FIR further alleges that Marmat verbally abused the officers and slapped the police inspector when the latter questioned his behaviour.
Marmat also allegedly threatened the inspector, claiming that he was an IAS officer and that the police could not take action against him.
These allegations form part of the police complaint, and the claims have not been established in court.
Read also: Who Is Vikas Marmat? IAS Officer Booked After Alleged Assault on Police in Bengaluru
How the Alleged Pub Assault Incident Unfolded
According to the FIR, Bengaluru Police and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) were conducting late-night inspections at pubs and other establishments across the city.
During one such operation, uniformed CCB personnel entered a pub at around 1:30 am and began checking customers’ identity cards to verify their ages and identify potentially suspicious persons.
The inspection reportedly led to a confrontation when officers asked Marmat to show his identification.
The sequence of events described in the FIR includes:
- Late-night inspection: Police personnel entered a pub as part of a citywide enforcement drive.
- Identity verification: Officers asked customers to produce identification documents to verify their ages.
- Argument with police: Marmat and his three friends allegedly objected to the identity check and argued with the officers.
- Alleged assault and threats: The FIR alleges that Marmat abused the police personnel, slapped the inspector and threatened him.
- Police complaint: An FIR was subsequently registered at Cubbon Park police station.
The allegations are based on the complaint filed in connection with the incident.
Bengaluru Police Conduct Raids at 400–500 Locations
The incident occurred during a wider enforcement drive led by Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to inspect pubs, bars and other establishments across the city.
According to the commissioner, approximately 1,500 police personnel participated in the operation, carrying out raids and inspections at around 400 to 500 locations.
The drive focused on checking compliance with operating hours, preventing underage drinking and identifying other alleged violations.
The inspections continued until 2 am on Saturday and covered several prominent establishments and nightlife areas.
Locations mentioned in connection with the operation included:
- Brigade Road and nearby commercial areas.
- Brigade Garden pub.
- Page 3 pub.
- Other pubs and establishments across Bengaluru.
The citywide operation was aimed at enforcing applicable rules and checking alleged irregularities at nightlife venues.
Viral Video Brings Incident into Public Focus
A video purportedly showing the confrontation between the IAS officer, his friends and police personnel circulated widely on social media on Tuesday.
The footage reportedly shows the group arguing with and verbally abusing officers. The incident has drawn attention because it involves a serving IAS officer and allegations of assault against a police inspector during an official enforcement operation.
The police case concerns allegations of verbal abuse, assault and threats during the identity verification process. Further details about the investigation and any subsequent legal action would depend on the police inquiry and official updates.
The accused are presumed innocent unless the allegations are proved through the legal process.
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