Rage over grazing car in Bengaluru: Ambulance rushing to attend critically ill patient stopped midway, driver abused

BENGALURU: In an incident that triggered public anger, an ambulance rushing to attend to a critically ill patient was allegedly stopped midway after it grazed a car near Alliance University at Anekal in Bengaluru Rural district on Saturday, resulting in a 15-minute delay.

Based on a complaint by driver Gnanendra, police registered a case and detained two persons, Vasanth from Anekal and Bharath from Hosur in Tamil Nadu.


The accident occurred when 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance, which set out from Anekal with its siren blaring, navigated a narrow stretch of the road in front of the campus.

According to reports, a car moving or parked along the roadside partially obstructed the carriageway. In the process, the ambulance reportedly touched the car.

Rage over grazing car: Ambulance driver abused
Instead of allowing the emergency vehicle to proceed, the car driver, allegedly joined by a few students, stopped the ambulance and engaged in a heated argument.

Despite the ambulance driver repeatedly explaining he was responding to a medical emergency, the vehicle was reportedly blocked for 10-15 minutes. The ambulance driver was verbally abused.

Police rushed in and controlled the situation. A video shows the driver asking the car owner or driver to take a photo of the ambulance and file a complaint, but the person got into an argument and blocked the way.

Under traffic laws, motorists are legally bound to give free passage to emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines. Failure to do so can attract penalties and legal action.