An alarming incident of road rage involving a senior Indian Air Force officer and his wife has come to light from Bengaluru, highlighting disturbing levels of aggression, disrespect towards defence personnel, and concerns over public safety and regional tensions.
On the morning of April 18, 2025, Wing Commander Aditya Bose, who is currently attached to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and his wife Squadron Leader Madhumita, were allegedly attacked by a motorcyclist while en route to the airport from the DRDO colony in CV Raman Nagar. The officer, in a visibly injured state, later uploaded a series of Instagram videos detailing the ordeal, with blood on his face and neck, narrating the chilling sequence of events.
According to Bose, the incident began when a biker approached from behind and forced their vehicle to a stop. The assailant, allegedly provoked by spotting a DRDO sticker on their car, began hurling abusive slurs in Kannada, questioning their presence in the state. The man reportedly said, "You're from DRDO? I can see the sticker. This is Kannada land — just watch what I do."
This seemingly xenophobic outburst marked the beginning of a violent escalation. Bose said the biker then banged on the window, smashed it with a stone, and struck him with the same stone, targeting his forehead. Before the officer could even respond or comprehend the extent of the threat, the attacker had also used a key to inflict another injury on his face.
In his video, Bose said: “The moment I got out of the car, the man hit me with a key on the forehead. I was bleeding. Then others joined him, and one picked up a stone and hit me again. All of this while they hurled verbal abuse at my wife as well.”
The officer’s wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita, who was driving the vehicle, reportedly tried to intervene and shield her husband from the attack. She later told the police, “We got down and tried to stop him, but he didn’t stop and was hitting my husband badly. Then he picked up a stone and hit my husband on the head.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, no immediate police assistance was received at the scene, according to Bose. With his flight to Kolkata scheduled — where he was traveling to assist his father with an impending surgery — Bose chose not to file an FIR immediately. However, his wife proceeded to the Baiyappanahalli Police Station later and lodged a formal complaint. An FIR was registered, and the accused was arrested following the complaint.
In a second, more detailed video, Bose appeared visibly shaken, wearing bandages and recounting the trauma. He shared that the incident occurred around 6:30 am near the Gopalan Mall. What began as a simple attempt to catch an airport bus ended in chaos and bloodshed. He admitted to retaliating in self-defence, saying that he pushed the attacker aside after being assaulted. During the scuffle, the man allegedly bit his finger, and Bose also lost his phone and keys in the process.
Perhaps more distressing was the reaction of some locals, who, instead of diffusing the violence, allegedly sided with the attacker or remained passive. This sense of public apathy — or worse, complicity — has sparked outrage on social media, with many asking how such aggression could be tolerated, especially against serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
Throughout the video, Bose questioned the moral compass of society, expressing heartbreak over the disrespect shown to someone who dedicates their life to national service. In a powerful emotional statement, he said: “I serve this country. And this is what happens? This is what we have come to? God give me the strength not to retaliate. But if law and order don’t help, I will retaliate. I will have no choice.”
The Indian Air Force responded swiftly, confirming that the officer had received medical treatment and that they were extending full support to him and to the civil authorities for the lawful resolution of the case. A senior IAF source stated: “An unfortunate incident of suspected road rage has come to light. The officer was treated at a hospital for his injuries. The IAF is offering full support for the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru police have taken cognizance of the incident and are reportedly verifying all the claims made in the videos. Sources within the department have said they are attempting to establish direct contact with Wing Commander Bose to gather further evidence and ensure all angles of the case are explored.
The video has since gone viral across social media platforms, evoking widespread anger and concern. Citizens, public figures, and defence veterans have condemned the attack and demanded a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those responsible.
This incident, while shocking on its own, underscores broader societal issues — growing intolerance, lack of respect for those in uniform, and failures in public civility and policing. As the investigation unfolds, many are hoping it serves as a wake-up call about the fragility of safety in urban India and the urgent need for better civic and legal protections for those who dedicate their lives to the nation.
