10 arrested for assaulting GBA officials near Shivajinagar Bus Stand

The Bengaluru Police arrested 10 people, including street vendors, on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials during a footpath encroachment clearance drive near the Shivajinagar Bus Stand. The officials, who were carrying out a court-ordered demolition and clearance operation, were obstructed and manhandled by a group of people.

According to Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar, the assault was allegedly led by Basavaraj Padukote, who heads the pro-Kannada organisation Namma Karnataka Sene. Investigators alleged that a group led by Padukote attacked GBA officials, including Assistant Executive Engineer Madhav Rao, during the anti-encroachment drive.

The incident was captured on video, which police are using as a key piece of evidence in their investigation. Following the clash, police officers rushed to the spot and registered a case at the Commercial Street Police Station. Police are currently gathering background information on the accused and working to identify additional suspects.

The clearance drive was part of the ongoing Safe Footpath Campaign, which aims to reclaim pedestrian spaces occupied by unauthorised vendors and clear temporary structures across Bengaluru.

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda reacted to the incident, stating that the government stands firmly with the officials. He warned that attacks on public servants would not be tolerated and directed the police commissioner and GBA officials to take stringent action.

"All those who assaulted government representatives during the Safe Footpath Campaign will be arrested. Assaulting public servants while they implement the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court is a serious violation of the law," Minister Gowda said, adding that he is personally monitoring the investigation.

GBA teams have recently intensified enforcement in busy commercial areas like Shivajinagar, Commercial Street, and Gandhi Bazaar. While the drive has faced resistance from street vendors fearing for their livelihoods, civic officials stated they are working to identify eligible vendors for relocation under the Street Vendors Act of 2014.