POCSO accused man climbs nine-storey building, creates four-hour drama in Bengaluru’s Devanahalli
Bengaluru: A man accused in POCSO cases climbed a nine-storey apartment building in Devanahalli on Tuesday and threatened self-harm, demanding “justice,” The Times of India reported.
The accused, identified as Anand, climbed a private apartment building near the Devanahalli bypass around 3 pm and said he would not come down unless the Deputy Commissioner (DC) was brought to the spot.
Anand is reportedly accused in two POCSO cases and also in a case involving waylaying and attempting to assault the Chikkaballapur Deputy Commissioner.
Police and fire and emergency services rushed to the scene and began negotiations, but Anand remained adamant. Police said he had earlier spent four years in jail in connection with a Pocso case, though the exact trigger for his protest remains unclear.
His mother later arrived and appealed to him to come down.
After nearly four hours of tense negotiations, he was finally persuaded to descend safely around 7pm.
The Devanahalli police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
The Man on the Ledge
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) April 21, 2026
A POCSO Act accused climbed atop a building off the #Bengaluru Airport-#Devanahalli Road on Tuesday afternoon. Denying the charges, he demanded the DC visit the spot. High drama lasted for 3 hours before he came down. @timesofindia (📹: Fwd) pic.twitter.com/k1qbEymUeu
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Bike Taxi Association urges Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to ensure policy clarity on operations
Bengaluru (PTI): The BTA said on Wednesday that it had submitted a formal representation to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking urgent clarity and intervention regarding the future of bike taxi operations in the state.
The representation comes in the backdrop of recent media reports suggesting that the state government may consider filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the Karnataka High Court order permitting bike taxi operations.
The association said this has created fresh uncertainty among riders.
The Bike Taxi Welfare Association, representing bike taxi riders across Karnataka, said in a statement that such a move appears inconsistent with earlier assurances of a policy-led resolution.
According to the statement, the issue has previously seen engagement at the highest levels, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi writing to the CM, highlighting that lakhs of drivers had been without work for months and urging a timely resolution.
In response, the CM, through an official communication to Rahul Gandhi’s office, reportedly confirmed that the government had initiated steps to develop a comprehensive and legally sound policy framework aligned with High Court directions and public interest.
The association said these assurances had provided hope to thousands of riders seeking a stable and dignified livelihood in the sector.
The BTA emphasised that a majority of bike taxi riders are local Kannadiga youth from modest socio-economic backgrounds, who rely on bike taxi services as their primary source of income in an increasingly competitive job market.
The association has urged the government to prioritise a policy-based resolution over prolonged litigation, calling for the expedited rollout of a framework that is balanced and inclusive, legally robust, aligned with public safety and regulatory compliance, and supportive of livelihoods and last-mile connectivity.
The association reiterated its confidence in the CM’s leadership and expressed hope that a clear, consistent, and forward-looking decision will be taken at the earliest.
