Bengaluru: A 26-year-old truck driver from Tamil Nadu, identified as Shanmugam, allegedly ended his life in Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5, 2026, following a police encounter. The incident began late Saturday night around 11 p.m. when traffic police intercepted his Tamil Nadu-registered vehicle for a routine inspection on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). During the stop, Shanmugam tested positive for drunk driving, exceeding permissible alcohol limits. Consequently, his truck was impounded, and he was issued a formal police notice before being allowed to leave the scene.
The situation took a grim turn on Sunday morning when authorities received information that Shanmugam had been found dead. Reports indicate he was discovered hanging within the impounded truck in the early hours of the day. The JP Nagar police have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the death. A senior officer noted that while the deceased’s family has been informed of the tragedy, no formal complaint has been filed by them as of Sunday afternoon.
To ensure transparency and rule out potential foul play or harassment during the initial stop, investigators are reviewing digital evidence from the encounter. Officials stated that both CCTV footage from the vicinity and recordings from body-worn cameras used by the traffic personnel show the driver was in good condition and appeared calm when he departed the area after receiving the impounding notice. The case remains under active investigation as police await further medical and forensic reports to conclude the probe.
