BENGALURU: A late-night drunk-driving check on Mysuru Road turned dramatic on Saturday night after an intoxicated two-wheeler rider threatened police, refused a breathalyser test, and later set his own vehicle on fire before fleeing the spot. Another scooter, which was seized in an accident, was also gutted in the fire. The incident occurred outside Byatarayanapura traffic police station in the presence of night-duty officers and staff.The accused is Venkatesh, who is in his late 20s and is a resident of BTM Layout I Stage. He was stopped around 10.35pm during a special drive to check drunk driving at Kavika Junction on Mysuru Road, opposite the traffic police station.Suspecting from his smell that the rider was under the influence of alcohol, the cops asked Venkatesh to blow into the alcometer. However, he threatened the cops, saying, “I will not blow into the alcometer. I suggest you kill me, or I will set fire to my bike.” Venkatesh was taken to the police station along with his black Bajaj Discover motorcycle. He was eventually found with an alcohol level of 367 mg/100 ml, indicating heavy intoxication. When the cops attempted to issue him a notice, Venkatesh allegedly refused to accept it and left the police station, shouting at them. However, he soon returned and set his motorcycle on fire and managed to escape before the cops could catch him. A Yamaha Fascino scooter, which was parked adjacent to Venkatesh’s bike, was also damaged in the fire. Police said Venkatesh had argued that this was second drunk-driving offence and had threatened to commit suicide rather than pay the fine. Police suspect Venkatesh was disturbed over some personal issues, which triggered his actions. A case was registered against him under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 324 (mischief), and 326 (mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Efforts are on to trace him, police added.
