A lack of chillies in a chicken dish at a bar and restaurant triggered a quarrel that led to an exchange of fire between the police and a customer.
Three people were injured in the series of incidents that began with an altercation at Dhanalakshmi Bar in Saraswatipuram of Mahalakshmi Layout on Tuesday night. According to police, N Ravi (34) and his friend Anjan Kumar had ordered a drink and chilly chicken at around 10.30 pm.
The hotel staff served them chicken manchurian instead, which upset them. They started an altercation, which escalated when the staff refused to add chillies to the dish. The staff said that would generate a separate bill.
Ravi allegedly pulled out his licensed .32 revolver and fired at the staff. A bullet pierced cashier Neelayya’s left leg when he rushed to the table, the police said.
In the commotion, the duo left the bar, while the bar staff shifted Neelayya to Sanjeevini Hospital. “I heard the noise and rushed inside. However, before I could realise what led to the quarrel, I was shot at,’’ Neelayya said.
A message was sent across to police stations and the night beat police inspectors of the West and North divisions were alerted.
Mahalakshmi Layout police inspector S R Raghavendra was on night rounds and rushed to the spot. Srirampuram police inspector Sampath Kumar, who was also on the night beat, joined him and they caught up with Ravi and Anjan Kumar near the Garden Bar, next to a storm water drain in J C Nagar.
The police claim they warned the duo to surrender. However, Ravi started firing at the police jeep. “In self defence, Raghavendra fired twice and Sampath three times, injuring Ravi and his friend in their legs.”
The accused were later shifted to K C General Hospital,’’ an official said.
Doctors treating the injured accused said the injuries are not serious. Anjan has only bullet marks, but there is no bullet in his body, while Ravi has to be operated on his right ankle to remove the bullet.
The police have registered cases of attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty and mischief causing damage against Ravi and Anjan Kumar.