‘Blood clot in brain’: How refusing auto driver’s fare turned fatal for B'luru advocate

Police have taken Pruthviraj Appajigowda into custody.BENAGLURU: An argument over an auto-rickshaw fare, a suspected heart attack and a post-mortem twist have turned the case of a 43-year-old Bengaluru advocate into a murder probe.Police have taken Pruthviraj Appajigowda, 31, an auto-rickshaw driver from Gollarahatti on Magadi Road, into custody in connection with the death of Sri Ram, a resident of Kengunte.Investigators are also looking for other auto drivers who were allegedly present during the confrontation.Found unconscious on Outer Ring RoadSri Ram was found unconscious on Nagarabavi Outer Ring Road on the morning of October 9. Hoysala police personnel on patrol rushed him to a nearby private hospital, where he died later that day.Initially, his death was suspected to be due to a heart attack. However, his family noticed injury marks on his body and approached Annapoorneshwarinagar police, suspecting foul play.The body was sent for a post-mortem examination. The report, which arrived recently, indicated that the advocate had died due to a blood clot in the brain, prompting investigators to look into the circumstances surrounding his death.Argument over fare allegedly led to assaultThe investigation led police to Pruthviraj, who allegedly attacked Sri Ram near Ambedkar Institute of Technology in Mallathahalli.According to an investigating officer, Sri Ram had asked Pruthviraj for a ride but disagreed with the fare quoted by the driver. He then walked away, saying he would take another auto-rickshaw. Pruthviraj allegedly followed him and attacked him, pushing him to the ground and causing internal head injuries.“There was a heated argument between the two over the tariff. Sri Ram had asked Pruthviraj for a ride and did not agree to the price quoted by him. Saying he will catch another auto, Sri Ram walked away. Angered over the refusal, Pruthviraj followed him and attacked. Sri Ram sustained internal head injuries when Pruthviraj pushed him to the ground. There were few more auto drivers with Pruthviraj when the incident took place and we are looking for them,” an investigating officer said.Police subsequently traced the auto-rickshaw and its driver, leading to Pruthviraj being taken into custody.Missing phone, cash allegations under probeInvestigators are also examining allegations that Sri Ram’s mobile phone and some cash went missing after the incident.“There are allegations that accused person had taken away Sri Ram’s mobile phone and some cash. We are looking into it,” the officer added.Police are searching for the other auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly present during the confrontation as they investigate the circumstances leading to the advocate’s death.