Bengaluru Worker Scales Tower in Rain, Demands Missing Wife’s Return

BENGALURU: In a dramatic scene reminiscent of a Bollywood thriller, a daily wage laborer named Chiranjeevi climbed a 150-foot mobile tower in Attibele, Bengaluru, on Saturday evening, threatening to jump unless police located his missing wife, Roja. The incident, reported by The Hindu, unfolded amid heavy rain and wind, heightening the tension as Chiranjeevi, reportedly inebriated, struggled to maintain his balance atop the structure.

The ordeal began when Chiranjeevi, suspecting foul play after Roja failed to return home from work, filed a missing persons complaint at the Attibele police station. Frustrated by the police’s preoccupation with security duties for the Ganesha festival procession, he scaled the tower and contacted the control room, issuing an ultimatum. His demand centered on clarity from the landlord, Harish, whom he suspected of involvement in Roja’s disappearance.

Police engaged in prolonged negotiations, lasting three hours, to persuade Chiranjeevi to descend safely. Authorities summoned Harish to the scene, where he clarified that he had only seen Roja walking home from work and offered her a ride. This explanation, coupled with persistent efforts by the police, eventually convinced Chiranjeevi to climb down. The Hindu reported that he was detained at the station for his safety, given his intoxicated state and the hazardous conditions.

The incident drew comparisons to a famous scene from the Bollywood film Sholay, where a character climbs a tower in a desperate act. The heavy rainfall and strong winds added to the perilous nature of Chiranjeevi’s protest, highlighting his desperation to find his wife. Police continue to investigate Roja’s disappearance, with no further details provided on her whereabouts at the time of the report.

This high-stakes drama underscores the emotional toll of missing persons cases and the extreme measures individuals may take to seek answers. The Attibele police are now focused on resolving the case while ensuring community safety during ongoing festival activities.