Bengaluru: A midnight stroll on Brigade Road turned violent for a 22-year-old man early Sunday after a dispute over the price of one cigarette escalated into assault and extortion.Mahammed Masood K, a resident of Doctor Layout in Naganathapura on Hosa Road, told police in his complaint that he bought a cigarette from a street vendor operating from a two-wheeler near St Patrick’s Church at Markham Road junction around 1am.
Masood, a native of Huvinahadagali in Vijayanagara district, who works in Bengaluru, visited the CBD to witness the nightlife. When the vendor demanded Rs 35 for one cigarette, Masood objected to the inflated price, leading to a heated argument between the two.The youth accused the vendor, identified as Kishore Kumar, of verbally abusing and assaulting him. During the fracas, the vendor accused Masood of damaging his tea flask, and along with accomplices, forced him to pay for the damage. When Masood said he did not have money, they forced him to make an online payment of Rs 900. Even after extorting the money, Masood said the vendor reportedly created a scene and demanded more cash. When Masood tried to stop the vendor by holding onto his two-wheeler, he was dragged for a few metres and he injured his legs, arms, stomach, lower back and face. Masood then went to a nearby hospital for treatment. A senior officer said a case was registered at Ashok Nagar police station under BNS sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and police are investigating the case.
