Acting swiftly, the Cottonpet police on June 12, arrested a street vendor for misbehaving with a Netherlands-based YouTuber, who was recording a video of the busy street for his channel. Though the incident occurred two months ago, it came to light only on June 11 after a Twitter user uploaded the video and tagged the Bengaluru Police, prompting legal action.
The victim, Pedro Mota, was passing through the busy Chickpete street talking about the area when the accused, identified as Navab Hayath Sharif, a vendor, confronted him. Mr. Sharif misbehaved and objected to his video being recorded. Mr. Mota tried to reason with Mr. Sharif, but the latter became aggressive and tried to snatch his camera. Mr. Mota managed to escape from the scene. However, the video of the incident went viral later.
Based on a tweet by netizen Mudassir Ahmed, who cited harassment to foreign tourists by the vendor, Lakshman Nimbargi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, West division, directed the police to take legal action.
Following the Twitter complaint, the Cottonpet police tracked down Mr. Sharif and arrested him under section 92 (punishment of certain street offences and nuisance) of the Karnataka Police Act.
“The accused, Navab Hayath Sharif, 58, resident of Hale Guddadahalli and an autorickshaw driver by profession, was also selling second hand clothes by the roadside. The incident occurred two months ago at Sultanpete when Pedro Moto was recording a video. Fearing that he would pass on information about the business to the police, Mr. Sharif confronted Mr. Pedro and misbehaved with him. Based on a complaint by Mudassir Ahmed, the Cottonpet police have registered a case against Mr. Sharif (under KP Act) and initiated legal action,” Mr. Nimbargi said.
