Tenant and landlord’s clash over rent turns violent in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: What began as a search for a better life in the city turned into a violent confrontation for a family from Uttar Pradesh after a dispute with their landlord, allegedly over rent, escalated into a clash in east Bengaluru.The incident took place on March 29 in Kodihalli, JB Nagar. According to police, Naresh, Sachin and their sister Rekha rented a one-room kitchen in a building owned by Shobha and Devaraj. The rent was initially agreed at Rs 8,000, and the family moved in on March 24.However, within a week, tensions rose between them. The house owners reportedly demanded an increased rent of Rs 10,000, citing higher gas and water charges, and asked the tenants to vacate if they failed to comply. The tenants, on the other hand, requested at least 15 days to make alternative arrangements.The disagreement soon escalated into a heated argument and turned violent. Both sides allegedly assaulted each other, with Shobha and Rekha reportedly pulling each other's hair and engaging in a fight. The house owners, however, presented a different account. They alleged the tenants failed to provide Aadhaar details and did not complete a rental agreement even after a week, raising suspicion. When asked to vacate, the tenants allegedly created a ruckus and attacked them.During the clash, household items such as spoons, ladles and even a knife were reportedly used, leaving members of the tenant family with injuries on their face, hands and other parts of the body.Police said a complaint and counter-complaint have been registered at JB Nagar police station.