Bengaluru, 7 March

A dispute between a pet owner and a group of senior citizens over walking a dog inside an apartment complex here allegedly escalated into a scuffle, with both sides filing complaints accusing each other of assault, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 7.30am on 3 March when Tarun Arora (42) had taken his pet dog for a walk inside the premises of the apartment complex in Varthur, where a group of senior citizens were practising yoga and exercise, they said.

Video footage also shows both parties engaging in a heated argument that later escalated into a scuffle.

In his complaint, Arora said he initially did not notice the group and continued walking his dog.

According to him, some members of the group later stopped him and told him that dogs should not be walked in that area, leading to an argument.

Arora alleged that during the altercation, the group verbally abused him using offensive language.

He argued that it was a common area and that he was not causing any obstruction, but the argument continued. As the situation intensified, he tried to call the emergency helpline 112, the FIR stated.

Arora further alleged that while he was moving towards the amphitheatre exit gate, some members of the group continued the verbal abuse. When he attempted to record the incident on his mobile phone, one of them, Om Prakash Bajpai (69), allegedly snatched it.

Soon after, about five to six people allegedly attacked him, pushed him to the ground and assaulted him with their hands and legs, causing injuries. He later received treatment at a nearby hospital, the complaint stated.

However, members of the senior citizens’ group have levelled counter-allegations against Arora.

According to their complaint, Arora frequently brings his pet dog to the area where they practice yoga, even though the apartment association has arranged a separate dog park.

Bajpai and his wife alleged that the dog often moves around behind them and defecates in the area where they sit, making the place unclean, and that Arora continued to bring the dog there despite repeated requests.

On 3 March, Arora again came to the same spot with his dog and behaved similarly, they alleged.

The complainants claimed that when they tried to prevent him from taking photographs, his mobile phone accidentally fell to the ground. Enraged by this, Arora allegedly grabbed Bajpai's collar and attempted to choke him by pressing his neck.

They further alleged that when Bajpai’s wife intervened to rescue him, Arora pushed her to the ground, causing injuries.

Based on the complaints from both parties, two separate cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, among other charges, and further investigation is underway.