Andhra Pradesh IAS officer and realtor friend among four charged in Bengaluru pub brawl case

An IAS officer and his realtor friend were among the four charged with abusing and attacking police officers at a nightclub on Residency Road in Bengaluru when the authorities were checking the credentials of customers to prevent alcohol being served to underage customers, reported TOI.

The Andhra Pradesh cadre civil servant is Vikas Marmat, currently serving as project director of the Kuppam Area Development Authority in AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s home constituency, Kuppam.

Marmat’ friends are Abhay Uday Singh, a real estate businessman and resident of Akshaynagar on Bannerghatta Road; Nitish, owner of a competitive exams coaching centre and hails from Bihar. The fourth person booked is Roshan, a bouncer.


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The officer was named a primary accused and the others were named as co-accused in the incident that took place on the night of October 9.

The following morning saw Marmat and the others apologising for their act.

The incident unfolded when officers from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) visited Cavore on Residency Road as part of a drive to check underage drinking at liquor joints. A team led by inspector Arun Salunke visited the outlet around 1:30 am.

While conducting the check, the police officers asked a few young women to produce documents to prove their age, which made Marmat and Singh angry, allegedly leading them to behave rudely with the police.

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"First, Vikas, saying he was an IAS officer, asked what rights we had to ask the girls to produce age documents. We replied, stating this was part of a special drive against pubs and bars that serve liquor to minors. Then, Vikas asked under whose direction we were doing it. We replied that our police commissioner has directed it. Then, Vikas asked what's our jurisdiction limit. We replied CCB covers the entire city. At this, Vikas became furious, saying no such powers have been given to police, where one branch can act anywhere in the city like Bengaluru. By then, he abused us. When we resisted, Abhay Uday Singh pushed and attacked us," a cop present at the scene told TOI.

Nitish and Roshan had also come into the scene, allegedly abusing and pushing the other cops, asking them to go out. Marmat allegedly hurled swear words at the cops, which was videographed and the same went viral on Tuesday. Additional police force reached the place and four men were taken to Cubbon Park police station.

Police Inspector Arun Salunke registered the FIR stating the four allegedly picked up an altercation and abused and attacked the cops on duty. Accordingly, police registered a case against Vikas, Abhay, Nitish and Roshan for criminal intimidation, assault on a public servant to prevent them from discharging their duties and use of criminal force to dishonor a person.

Andhra Pradesh CM orders investigation

Following demands by YSRCP, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu directed the chief secretary to submit a detailed report on the incident. The CM's office is said to have taken serious note of the incident and is reportedly reviewing the matter for potential disciplinary action.

(With inputs from TOI)