A 2019-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Vikas Marmat, and three others have been booked by the police following a late-night altercation at a bar and restaurant on Residency Road in Bengaluru. The incident occurred on the intervening night of October 9 and 10.
The Cubbon Park police registered an FIR against Marmat, who is the Project Director of Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA), along with Abhay Uday Singh, Nitish, and Roshan. The incident took place during a city-wide inspection of pubs, bars, and restaurants.
According to the complaint lodged by Police Inspector Arun Salunke, the inspection was carried out on the directions of the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner. The aim was to identify underage persons and check suspicious individuals at establishments within the Cubbon Park and Ashok Nagar police station limits.
Salunke, accompanied by police personnel including BS Ashoka and Balaram Nayak, arrived at Cavore Bar and Restaurant on Residency Road around midnight to verify the identity cards and ages of customers. During this inspection, four individuals allegedly picked an argument with the police team over trivial issues and verbally abused the inspector and other personnel on duty.
This incident raises questions about the conduct of an IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre. Public officials are expected to uphold a high standard of behavior, especially when interacting with law enforcement and the public.