18-05-2025
Tiff over cigarettes leads to the killing of a techie in Bengaluru
A late-night argument over cigarettes turned fatal in South Bengaluru when a man allegedly ran his car over two software engineers, killing one and injuring the other.
The police said the incident occurred around 4.10 am on May 10 near Konanakunte Cross.
The deceased has been identified as Sanjay H N, 29, while his injured friend is Chetan Pujamath, 30.
Both worked remotely for different software companies.
According to the police, Sanjay and Pujamath had stepped out for a late dinner after working from home.
They stopped at a roadside tea stall on their Yamaha R15 motorcycle.
Shortly after, the accused, Pratheek H, 32, a sales manager at a Maida factory on Magadi Road, arrived at the same stall in a Hyundai Creta with his wife, returning from a birthday party.
Pratheek reportedly asked Pujamath to fetch him cigarettes. When Pujamath refused, an argument broke out.
Pratheek stepped out of the car and began abusing Pujamath.
Sanjay intervened and pushed him away, attempting to de-escalate the situation.
Pratheek's wife then pulled him back into the car, but he allegedly continued threatening the duo, saying he 'wouldn't let them go'.
Moments later, as Sanjay rode off with Pujamath on the pillion, they attempted a U-turn on Kanakapura Main Road.
Pratheek allegedly accelerated and rammed into their bike.
Pujamath landed on the car's bonnet and suffered minor injuries, while Sanjay was flung into the air and landed on the footpath with severe head injuries.
Pratheek fled the scene, but Pujamath managed to rush Sanjay to a hospital. Sanjay succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
Lokesh B Jagalasar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), confirmed that the case has been upgraded from attempted murder to murder.
Pratheek has been arrested and produced before a court.
