Bengaluru Techie Killed In Hit And Run Over Cigarette Dispute, 29 Year Old Dies During Treatment

New Delhi : A 29-year-old software engineer was killed, and his friend injured in a violent hit-and-run incident in Bengaluru, reportedly triggered by a dispute over a cigarette.

The incident occurred on May 10, when the victim, Sanjay, and his friend Chetan — both software engineers took a break from their work-from-home night shift around 4 am to get tea at a roadside stall. While they were standing there, a man accompanied by his wife arrived in a Hyundai Creta and asked Sanjay and Chetan for a cigarette.

When they declined and suggested he buy his own, a heated argument ensued. Local bystanders intervened and managed to calm the situation. Sanjay and Chetan left on their motorcycle, the accused, Prateek, allegedly followed them in his vehicle and deliberately rammed into their bike while they were attempting a U-turn near Konanakunte Cross.

Both men were rushed to the hospital. Sanjay succumbed to his injuries two days later, while Chetan continues to receive treatment for serious injuries. The entire sequence was captured on CCTV footage, prompting the police to treat the case as murder.