Woman hits Bengaluru auto driver with slipper, later apologises by touching his feet

Bengaluru: A traffic altercation outside Centro Mall in Bellandur turned violent on Saturday when a woman struck an auto-rickshaw driver with her slipper during a heated road dispute, prompting public uproar and protests by pro-Kannada groups.

The incident, captured on camera and widely circulated online, shows the woman, identified as Pankhuri Mishra, repeatedly hitting the driver, Lokesh, while he films the exchange. Despite being assaulted, Lokesh remained composed and continued to record.

The confrontation happened after Mishra, riding pillion on a two-wheeler with her husband, allegedly brushed against Lokesh’s auto while merging lanes. Lokesh later approached the Bellandur police and filed a complaint, accusing her of unprovoked assault. Based on his statement, an FIR was registered against Mishra, a native of Bihar currently residing in Bengaluru.

Mishra appeared for questioning on Sunday, claiming that the auto driver had behaved inappropriately, which led to her outburst. A police official confirmed that her version of events had been recorded and said she could be called again as investigations proceed.

The situation took another turn when a video surfaced later that day showing Mishra apologising to Lokesh. In the clip, she bows at his feet and explains her actions, saying, "I apologise. I am pregnant. So that is what I was thinking, what would happen if I had a miscarriage."

Mishra added that she felt unsafe when the auto approached their vehicle and that panic drove her reaction. She also stated her fondness for the city and its people: "We love Bengaluru, we love the culture and we love the people."

The viral video sparked backlash, with several Kannada outfits protesting outside Bellandur police station, calling for strict action against her.

Meanwhile, further footage from the scene shows Mishra hitting the driver while shouting in Hindi, "Banaega video? Chal bana video," as Lokesh recorded her actions. She was also heard speaking on a phone call during the altercation, saying, "He first ran over my foot and is now recording a video." Lokesh stated he began filming the incident because the woman was speaking in Hindi instead of the local language, Kannada.

Police later confirmed that Mishra was taken into custody on Sunday and later released on station bail.