Bengaluru Hit-and-Run Tragedy: Auto Driver Arrested After Dumping Victim's Body in Garbage
A shocking hit-and-run incident in Bengaluru's Kengeri area has resulted in the death of a 50-year-old woman, with the autorickshaw driver attempting to cover up the accident by dumping her body in a garbage heap. What initially appeared as a mysterious death near a dump site has unfolded into a chilling narrative of negligence and attempted evasion.
Fatal Accident and Failed Rescue Attempts
The victim, identified as Kempamma, a resident of Vinayakanagar in Kengeri Satellite Town, sustained severe head injuries after being struck by an autorickshaw on Monday morning. The vehicle, bearing registration KA-02-AG-4616, hit her near a Domino's Pizza outlet while driver Basavegowda was transporting two passengers to Kengeri railway station.
Eyewitnesses immediately alerted the 108 ambulance service, but emergency responders did not arrive in time. Basavegowda later confessed that Kempamma suddenly walked onto the road, and he was unable to control his vehicle, leading to the collision that left her critically injured.
Hospital Refusals and Desperate Measures
With assistance from nearby restaurant employees, Basavegowda placed the injured woman in his autorickshaw and rushed her to a private hospital. However, staff allegedly refused treatment due to inadequate facilities. He then drove her to Rajarajeshwari Hospital, but upon checking her condition at the hospital gate, he realized she had died.
Panicked and seeking to avoid responsibility, Basavegowda allegedly transported the body to a garbage dump near the BDA apartment complex and abandoned it there. This act transformed what was initially an accident into a criminal attempt to conceal evidence.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Kengeri police have arrested 50-year-old autorickshaw driver Basavegowda, a resident of Laggere, following thorough CCTV analysis and eyewitness accounts. The arrest occurred on Tuesday night, and he has been taken into police custody for further investigation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-West) Anitha B Haddannavar stated, "We have taken him into police custody to reconstruct the crime and match the chain of events with evidence. The case will later be handed over to traffic police."
Ongoing Investigation and Passenger Search
A senior police officer confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the two passengers who had booked the auto through a taxi aggregator. Their statements are considered crucial to understanding the complete sequence of events. The officer added, "We have collected CCTV footage from multiple locations and are convinced this is an accident, not a murder."
The passengers reportedly left the scene shortly after the accident, as they were in a rush to catch their train. Police are examining all available evidence to corroborate the driver's account and ensure a comprehensive investigation.
This tragic incident highlights serious concerns about road safety and emergency response in Bengaluru, while also revealing the desperate measures some individuals take to evade legal consequences. The community remains in shock as authorities continue their investigation into this heartbreaking case.
