Bengaluru police filed a first information report on Tuesday after an IAS officer, Vikas Marmath, allegedly assaulted a patrol inspector during a midnight raid at the Kavoor pub. The officer, who serves as Project Director of the Kuppam Area Development Authority, is accused of slapping the inspector and threatening him with his official status, a claim the inspector described as “unprecedented.” Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the raid was part of a city‑wide enforcement drive aimed at curbing under‑age drinking and operating‑hour violations.
The raid, which began at 1:30 a.m. on Friday, was conducted by the Central Crime Branch alongside Bengaluru Police. According to the FIR, 1,500 officers canvassed 400 to 500 venues across the city, from Brigade Road to the outskirts, until 2 a.m., a sweep that has already led to 34 complaints and 12 arrests, according to the police docket.
A video clip of Marmath and three acquaintances hurling abusive language at the officers has trended on social media, with over 20,000 shares in 24 hours. “It’s shocking to see a senior officer behave like that,” said a regular patron of the pub, who asked to remain anonymous. The police’s Public Relations Officer, Ramesh Patel, declined to comment on the officers’ identities but confirmed that the CCB will investigate the incident.
Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the FIR will trigger a thorough probe by the CCB, and the officer could face administrative sanctions from the Andhra Pradesh government, including suspension or removal from office, if the allegations are substantiated. The investigation will also determine whether any criminal charges, such as assault or intimidation, should be filed.
For the three friends—Abhay Uday Singh, Nitesh, and Roshan—who were present, local sources say they are cooperating with the inquiry, though one of them expressed fear that the case could damage his future career. The incident has sparked debate across Bengaluru’s nightlife community, with some owners calling for stricter enforcement and others warning against overreach.
The CCB’s preliminary findings will be submitted to the district magistrate by November 5, 2023, after which a chargesheet will be drafted. Police officials have promised a transparent process and will hold a press briefing on Thursday to outline the next steps.