BANGALORE: Nikhil Gowda, son of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, allegedly got into a brawl with the staff of a restaurant near MG Road in Bangalore in the wee hours of Thursday.
A heated verbal exchange with the staff, which refused to reopen the shutters and serve Gowda, soon turned into a scuffle. Gowda allegedly hurled rocks and destroyed furniture at the restaurant. The staff retaliated by assaulting the first year BCom student and two friends who were accompanying him.
The three drove in their damaged car to the government-run Bowring hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Meanwhile, the Empire restaurant, known for its kebabs, lodged a complaint of forceful entry against Gowda and his friends. Gowda filed a counter case.
“We have complaints from both sides,” Police Commissioner Neelam Achuta Rao said. “Only an investigation will throw light on what happened.”
The CM has so far kept mum on his son’s encounter. Earlier he had expressed anguish over Nikhil’s lack of interest in academics; he almost missed writing his pre-university college exams last year due to insufficient attendance.
Last week, police had arrested Adam Bidapa, son of fashion guru Prasad Bidapa, for assaulting them when they tried to close down a pub that was open beyond the regular hours. Bidapa’s wife Judith, who abused and pushed DCP GB Chebbi, has sought anticipatory bail.
Coincidentally, the same DCP Chebbi has been named investigating officer in Nikhil’s case. “(Arrest) depends on the complaint and evidence gathered during investigations,” Rao said, when asked whether Nikhil would be arrested like Adam.
