Murdered for Just a Cigarette! Techie's Fatal Encounter in Bangalore
Techie’s Refusal to Buy Cigarette Sparks Fatal Road Rage in Bengaluru
A trivial dispute over a cigarette turned deadly in Bengaluru, claiming the life of 29-year-old software engineer H.N. Sanjay.
The incident, which unfolded on May 10 at Vasanthapura Cross on Kanakapura Road, culminated in a horrific hit-and-run that has shocked the city. The accused, 31-year-old Prateek, a manager at a private company from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, has been arrested and charged with murder.
According to Subramanyapura police, Sanjay and his friend Chetan Pujamath were taking a break from work around 4:00 AM, smoking by the roadside.
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Prateek, who was driving past with his wife after a party, allegedly demanded that Sanjay fetch him a cigarette from a nearby vendor while he remained in his car. Sanjay’s refusal, coupled with a sharp rebuke for Prateek’s entitled demeanor, sparked a heated altercation. Locals intervened, and Prateek drove off, only to park nearby.
As Sanjay and Chetan rode back to their office on a motorcycle, Prateek allegedly pursued them and deliberately rammed his car into their bike. The impact threw Sanjay onto the pavement, causing a fatal head injury.
He succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Tuesday. Chetan, riding pillion, suffered serious injuries and remains under treatment. Police reports indicate Prateek was intoxicated at the time of the incident, supported by CCTV footage capturing the chilling act.
The case, now under investigation, has drawn widespread outrage, with posts on X calling for justice using hashtags like #JusticeForSanjay and #BengaluruCrime. The incident underscores the dangers of road rage and reckless behavior, leaving Bengaluru’s tech community mourning one of its own.
