Bengaluru: A routine night duty turned into a dramatic chase for a city traffic police officer after an autorickshaw driver—caught driving the wrong way on a one-way stretch—rammed a scooter and later sped off with the officer still inside the vehicle.

According to the FIR filed by the Sadashivanagar Traffic Police, the incident occurred between 9 pm and 9.15 pm on November 27.

The on-duty traffic officer spotted an autorickshaw entering the 10th Cross, Sadashivanagar, against the flow of traffic. Moments later, the vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming scooter.

As the officer approached and questioned the driver for the blatant violation, he instructed him to pull over. The driver initially complied but abruptly accelerated towards Hebbal, with the officer still seated inside and attempting to record the violation. 

Despite multiple warnings to stop, the driver allegedly increased speed, leading to a struggle inside the moving autorickshaw. The officer eventually fell onto the road during the scuffle, resulting in his walkie-talkie being destroyed.

The driver continued fleeing before abandoning the autorickshaw near Gangannagar and escaping on foot. Two policemen and residents later rushed to aid the officer. When police seized the abandoned auto, they discovered a dagger/knife concealed inside the vehicle.

The accused has been booked for causing public danger, negligent driving, injuring a scooter rider, obstructing a public servant on duty, damaging government property, and illegally possessing a weapon.

The Sadashivanagar Traffic Police have launched a search to trace and arrest the absconding driver. Investigation is underway.