Advocate dies after assault by auto driver over fare dispute

By Sumesh Rajan | October 26, 2026

Bengaluru, Karnataka, INDIA: A dispute over an auto-rickshaw fare allegedly turned fatal after a Bengaluru-based advocate was assaulted by a driver for refusing to pay the quoted amount. The victim, identified as Sriram, was initially believed to have died of a heart attack after collapsing on Nagarabhavi Outer Ring Road on October 9. However, injuries noticed by his family and subsequent post-mortem findings led police to investigate the death as a suspected murder.

The Annapoorneshwari Nagar police have arrested the accused auto-rickshaw driver, identified as Pruthviraj Appajigowda (31), a resident of Gollarahatti on Magadi Road. Police are also searching for other auto drivers who were allegedly present during the assault.

According to police, the incident occurred near Ambedkar Institute of Technology in Mallathahalli when Sriram, a lawyer who had also ventured into acting, approached Pruthviraj for an auto-rickshaw ride home. However, an argument broke out after the advocate refused to pay the fare quoted by the driver.

Sriram reportedly told the driver that he would take another auto-rickshaw and walked away. Enraged by the refusal, Pruthviraj allegedly followed him, verbally abused him and assaulted him.

Investigators suspect that the accused pushed Sriram to the ground during the confrontation, causing serious internal head injuries. Police are also examining allegations that other auto drivers joined the assault.

Despite sustaining injuries, Sriram reportedly managed to walk some distance before collapsing on Nagarabhavi Outer Ring Road.

Hoysala police personnel, who were patrolling the area on the morning of October 9, found him lying unconscious and immediately shifted him to a nearby private hospital. However, he died later that afternoon despite medical treatment.

As the circumstances surrounding his collapse were initially unclear, police registered an unnatural death report, suspecting that he might have suffered a heart attack.

The case took a significant turn when Sriram's family noticed injury marks on his body and began making inquiries about the circumstances leading to his death. They reportedly learnt that he had been involved in an altercation with an auto-rickshaw driver shortly before collapsing.

Suspecting foul play, the family approached the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police and lodged a complaint, prompting a detailed investigation.

The body was subsequently subjected to a post-mortem examination, which indicated that a blood clot in the brain had contributed to his death. The findings, along with the injuries and other evidence gathered during the investigation, strengthened police suspicions that Sriram had died following an assault rather than from natural causes.

During the investigation, police traced the auto-rickshaw allegedly involved in the incident and identified Pruthviraj as the driver. He was subsequently taken into custody.

An investigating officer said the confrontation began after Sriram declined to pay the fare demanded by the accused and decided to hire another auto-rickshaw.

"There was a heated argument between the two over the tariff. Sriram had asked Pruthviraj for a ride and did not agree to the price quoted by him. Saying he will catch another auto, Sriram walked away. Angered over the refusal, Pruthviraj followed him and attacked," the officer said.

The officer further stated that Sriram sustained internal head injuries after being pushed to the ground and that several other auto drivers were allegedly present during the confrontation.

Police are also investigating allegations that the accused took away the advocate's mobile phone and cash following the assault.

"There are allegations that the accused person had taken away Sriram's mobile phone and some cash. We are looking into it," the investigating officer said.

Based on the family's complaint, post-mortem findings and evidence collected during the investigation, police are treating the death as a murder case.

Efforts are underway to trace the other auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly involved in the incident and establish their individual roles. Further investigation is ongoing.