The incident occurred on May 21 in Judges Colony, Basaveshwaranagar, when Shashank S, a 30-year-old businessman, intervened during a disagreement between his sister-in-law and the delivery agent over a mismatch in delivery address.

According to the police complaint filed by Shashank, the delivery executive, identified as Vishnuvardhan, allegedly became aggressive, verbally abused him, and punched him multiple times in the face and head before fleeing the scene.

The altercation was captured on CCTV, which reportedly shows the delivery executive assaulting Shashank in front of his residence while his family members attempted to intervene.

Medical Condition and Allegations

Shashank has since undergone medical treatment and claims he has been diagnosed with a skull fracture, with doctors warning that surgery may be required if the condition does not improve within a week.

He later shared details of the incident and CCTV footage on social media platform Instagram, tagging the delivery company and calling for accountability.

Company Response

In a brief public statement, Zepto responded:

“We regret any inconvenience caused. Professional conduct is essential to us, and we will ensure the matter is thoroughly addressed.”

The company has not yet released further details regarding the employment status of the delivery executive or internal disciplinary measures.

Police Action and Legal Proceedings

The Bengaluru Police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

• Section 115 – Voluntarily causing hurt

• Section 126 – Wrongful restraint

• Section 351 – Criminal intimidation

• Section 352 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace

An investigation is ongoing, and police officials have confirmed that further action will be taken based on forensic and medical evidence.

Broader Concerns Over Delivery Platform Safety

This incident is the latest in a string of violent confrontations involving delivery agents. In a similar case in Ghaziabad earlier this year, a food delivery turned violent after an argument escalated into a group assault involving firearms and knives. The case remains under investigation.

With gig economy services expanding rapidly across India, concerns are growing over the vetting, training, and conduct of delivery personnel. Consumer forums have urged platforms to implement mandatory behavioural training, emergency response protocols, and stricter background checks.

Conclusion

As the Bengaluru incident gains attention online and offline, questions continue to arise over the responsibility of delivery platforms to ensure the safety of both customers and workers. Stakeholders across the board — from consumers to policymakers — are watching closely for how platforms like Zepto address these recurring challenges in their last-mile delivery operations.