Drunk-rider sets himself on fire, dies as cops refuse to release his scooter

News Network
February 26, 2018

Bengaluru, Feb 26: In a shocking incident, a 40-year-old man, who was caught by police during a drunk-driving check in South Bengaluru, doused himself with petrol and then put a match in front of the Mico Layout traffic police station when police refused to release his scooter.

A critically injured Manikanta alias Mani (40) was shifted to the Victoria Hospital where he breathed his last hours later without responding to any treatment. Manikanta hailed from Tamil Nadu and worked as a truck driver at a supermarket on Bannerghatta Road. He was residing at CK Palya near Silk Board. The family members complained that police harassment had driven him to commit suicide.

Manikanta lost control of his TVS Jupiter near the Shoppers Stop junction around 2.15 am. Three policemen from the Mico Layout traffic police, led by assistant sub-inspector Murthy, were checking motorists for drunk-driving and saw Manikanta falling off the bike. They rushed to the spot and asked him to take a breathalyser test, but he refused. The policemen seized his scooter and asked him to produce the documents.

Manikanta came to the police station 20 minutes later and asked the police to return the scooter. He also kept screaming about how the police were corrupt. The policemen warned him and asked him to return in the morning to get the scooter. He left but came back after some time. Carrying a bottle of petrol, he poured it on himself and set himself ablaze.

Police later learnt that the victim had borrowed the scooter from a friend named Ravi. Ravi had initially refused to lend him the scooter, saying he had to distribute wedding invites but gave in on Manikanta's requests. Police informed Ravi after finding his wedding card on the scooter.

Comments

Sukesh shetty
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

Instead of suicide he could have tell to his friend that he had one problem. 

Mohan
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

Cops are the reason for his suicide. If cops gave back  that scooter, then these won't happen.

Hareesh Bhatt
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

He did beause he drunk alcohol. Normal person won't do such a rubbish

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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