Two auto drivers who put cockroach in food at Indira canteen held

Bengaluru: Two autorickshaw drivers have been arrested for dropping a cockroach in the food served at Indira Canteen to seek “publicity”.

Hemanth and Devaraj, along with two others, went to have food at Indira Canteen in Kamakshipalya on Friday and created a ruckus when they found a cockroach in their meal, the police said.

They then threatened people serving food, besides urging others not to eat.

The police said CCTV cameras installed inside the canteen showed Hemanth bringing the cockroach with him and putting it in the food.

Devaraj knew this but supported Hemanth’s claim, the police said.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is executing the programme in the city, handed over the video footage to the police and lodged a complaint against Hemanth and his friends.

“We have arrested Hemanth and Devaraj. They are autorickshaw drivers from Kamakshipalya. During interrogation they revealed that they did it to seek publicity,” a police officer said.

The officer clarified that they were not affiliated with any political party.

The state government launched Indira Canteens on August 15, offering food at subsidised rates. Breakfast and meals are served at Rs 5 and Rs 10, respectively.

At present, the scheme is being implemented in Bengaluru municipal limits.

Based on its success, Indira Canteens will be set up in all district and taluk headquarters from January 1.