MNC staffer assaulted by cabbies at Bengaluru airport over wrong-lane parking

BENGALURU: A multinational company employee who drove to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to receive his mother had a forgettable night. A group of taxi drivers allegedly assaulted him for parking his car in the wrong lane, though briefly.He suffered a nasal fracture requiring him to undergo surgery.According to a police complaint lodged by Thanish Raghav, 32, the incident occurred around 10.15pm on May 3 when he was at the airport to pick up his mother, who was arriving from Rajasthan. The Ullal Main Road resident was accompanied by his wife and father.Raghav told TOI: "After arriving at the airport, I mistakenly entered a lane designated for taxis and parked my car there as the private vehicle parking area was overcrowded. While my wife stepped away to use the washroom, I was boxed in by taxis in front and behind. A driver behind me began honking and demanded that I move. I told him I would leave shortly once my wife returned."He alleged that the driver responded aggressively, hurling abuses. "I tried to explain that it was a mistake and I would leave in a couple of minutes. He began banging my car window and door. When I opened the door, he shoved it back, injuring my nose," he said.Following the altercation, Raghav claimed that 7-8 other taxi drivers joined in, falsely accused him of being drunk, and physically assaulted him. "Despite my protests, they kept claiming I was under the influence and beat me up. When my father tried to intervene, they abused him as well," he added.The assault was halted when Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and airport security personnel intervened. The taxi drivers fled the scene before further action could be taken. Raghav later received medical attention, with doctors advising surgery once the swelling reduced, likely on Saturday.Raghav filed a police complaint on May 6 and submitted registration details of five taxis, all of which reportedly bore Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) stickers.A senior police officer confirmed that a case has been registered under Sections 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. "Notices will be served to the accused drivers and appropriate action will follow," the officer said.