The situation spiralled within moments, with police allegedly dragging him to the middle of the road and kicking him with their boots.
A 68-year-old retired soldier was allegedly assaulted by personnel from the Nandagad Police Station, sparking strong outrage across Khanapur taluk.
Channamallappa Kumbar of Chikkamunavalli was reportedly beaten and kicked in public after police stopped him for riding his two-wheeler without a helmet.
According to eyewitnesses, Channamallappa was travelling from Chikkamunavalli to Bhuranaki when police carrying out checks on the Belagavi–Talaguppa state highway near Beedi village signalled him to halt. When he attempted to move ahead, an officer grabbed his shirt, triggering a verbal clash.
The situation intensified, and police allegedly dragged him to the centre of the road and kicked him repeatedly. Locals took him to a hospital for treatment.
A video of the assault went viral. As the incident spread, members of the Beedi Village Ex-Servicemen’s Association accompanied Channamallappa to the Nandagad police station to lodge a complaint. They protested outside, demanding strict action against the policemen involved.
Inspector Ravikumar Dharmatti later apologised to Channamallappa on behalf of the department. After the apology, the protest was called off, and Channamallappa returned home without filing a complaint.
