A team of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials was allegedly attacked during an anti-encroachment drive in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar area on Tuesday, disrupting an operation aimed at clearing illegal structures from public footpaths. According to officials, Assistant Executive Engineer Madhav Rao and Assistant Engineer Gautham were assaulted with helmets by a group of individuals, while woman engineer Ruchita was allegedly targeted with pepper spray. Authorities also claimed that an attempt was made to attack the operator of a JCB machine being used for the demolition work. The injured officials later filed a complaint at the Commercial Street Police Station, following which police registered a case and launched an investigation.

Police said they are examining CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media to identify those involved in the attack. The incident triggered a political row, with Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accusing the Congress government of failing to ensure the safety of officials carrying out civic enforcement duties. He alleged that law enforcement was being compromised due to vote-bank politics and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Ashoka also called for stronger security arrangements for government personnel involved in similar anti-encroachment drives across the state.

Despite the violence, the Greater Bengaluru Authority resumed the demolition operation later in the day under heavy police protection. Senior police officers supervised the drive as JCB machines continued clearing illegal encroachments to restore pedestrian access on public footpaths. Civic officials stated that the operation would continue without interruption and that attempts to stop the enforcement through intimidation or violence would not succeed. The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by civic authorities while removing encroachments in densely populated urban areas and renewed demands for enhanced protection for officials on duty.