A 35-year-old auto driver from Chitradurga is in critical condition after he set himself ablaze, alleging persistent harassment by traffic police during a drunk-driving check.
Bengaluru: A self-immolation attempt by an auto driver in Chitradurga, Karnataka has triggered public outrage and renewed allegations of police harassment. The incident occurred on Saturday night near the busy Gandhi Circle, where 35-year-old Thippeswamy set himself on fire shortly after a confrontation with traffic police during a drunk-driving inspection.
Thippeswamy, an auto driver from Malappanahatti village, alleged that traffic police officers manhandled him during the check, grabbing him by the collar, pushing him repeatedly and intimidating him despite his insistence that he was not under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly recorded parts of the altercation on his phone, capturing moments where officers appeared to shove him.
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What happened at Gandhi Circle?
Deeply distressed and humiliated after the confrontation, he walked back to Gandhi Circle, poured petrol over himself and set himself ablaze. The incident unfolded in front of commuters and pedestrians, triggering panic across the junction.
Bystanders and fellow auto drivers rushed to extinguish the flames. He sustained about 50 per cent burns and was first taken to the district hospital before being referred to a superspeciality centre in Davanagere. Doctors later described his condition as critical.
According to local auto drivers present at the spot, this was the culmination of repeated episodes of harassment and verbal abuse by traffic personnel. Within minutes of the incident, dozens of auto drivers gathered at Gandhi Circle, raised slogans against the police and demanded immediate departmental action.
What is the police version?
Superintendent of police Ranjith Kumar told the media that the driver had been stopped during a routine drunk-driving check when a dispute broke out. The duty officer reportedly informed Thippeswamy that the issue would be addressed by a police sub-inspector. However, he left the spot and returned around 9:50 pm, where he “accidentally set himself on fire while trying to scare the officers”, according to the police.
A PSI has been assigned to examine all available video footage and investigate the sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Authorities are now reviewing both the police explanation and the driver’s mobile recordings. The inquiry is expected to determine whether excessive force or procedural violations occurred during the traffic inspection and whether repeated complaints of harassment by auto drivers in the area warrant wider scrutiny.
Published: 23 Nov 2025, 07:05 pm IST
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