The recent incident that shook the social media by storm involving Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a dramatic turn following the release of CCTV footage that contradicts initial claims made by the officer and his wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita.
The footage appears to show that Shiladitya Bose was not merely a victim but also an active participant in the violent incident. The incident occurred on April 18 near Gopalan Mall in Bengaluru, while the couple was en route to the airport. In a video posted on social media, Bose had alleged that a biker stopped their car, hurled abuses in Kannada, and launched a physical attack after noticing a DRDO sticker on their vehicle. Bose claimed he was struck on the forehead with a key, and others later joined the biker to attack him, with one person allegedly biting his finger and another hitting him with a stone.
In the viral video recorded from inside his car, Shiladitya Bose, visibly bleeding, expressed shock and frustration, blaming a mob for targeting them based on regional and institutional identity.
“They saw the DRDO sticker and said, ‘You DRDO people…’ then started attacking us,” he said. The officer’s account initially sparked outrage online, with many calling for stricter action against the alleged attackers. However, CCTV footage from the area has painted a more complex picture.
In one video, Bose and his wife are seen approaching a man in a neon green jacket, with Bose appearing to initiate the physical confrontation. The footage shows Bose pushing the man onto the road and assaulting him repeatedly, while passersby try to intervene. The woman in a blue T-shirt, believed to be Madhumita, is also seen gesturing angrily and engaging in a heated verbal exchange with the man.
Another camera angle shows Aditya Bose grappling with the biker and even putting him in a chokehold. The conflict continues on the road, with both Bose and the man exchanging blows.
In yet another clip, Madhumita is seen running back toward the scene, continuing to argue and point fingers.
According to Bengaluru’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Devaraj D, both parties played a role in escalating the situation.
“At around 6 AM, an altercation occurred between a biker and an IAF officer, who was traveling from his residence at the DRDO quarters to the airport. We have checked the CCTV footage, and it’s evident that the incident could have been avoided by both sides. It is a clear case of road rage. We have lodged a complaint and arrested the biker,” he stated.
Even though Shiladitya Bose was forced to rush to Kolkata for a family crisis and did not lodge a complaint, his wife subsequently did so at Baiyappanahalli Police Station. The complaint grievances include that the biker acted aggressively, caused damage to their vehicle, and made abusive remarks invoking their DRDO background and non-Kannada origin.
