Andhra Pradesh Transfers IAS Officer Vikas Marmat After Bengaluru Pub Altercation Case
The Andhra Pradesh government has transferred 2019-batch IAS officer Vikas Marmat with immediate effect after Bengaluru police registered a criminal case against him and three others over an alleged late-night altercation at a pub. Marmat, who was serving as Project Director of the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA), has been asked to report to the General Administration Department (GAD) for further posting.
The government order was issued by the GAD on October 14, 2026. The Chittoor District Collector has also been directed to make arrangements for an in-charge officer at KADA until a new posting is decided.
What happened at the pub
The case relates to an incident in the early hours of October 10, 2026, at around 1:30 a.m., at Cavore Bar and Restaurant on Residency Road, which falls under the jurisdiction of Cubbon Park police station in Bengaluru.
At the time, a team from the Central Crime Branch’s Special Enquiry Wing, led by Inspector Arun Salunke, was carrying out inspections at bars and restaurants in the Cubbon Park and Ashok Nagar areas. The checks had been ordered by the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to verify the ages of patrons and to prevent liquor from being served to minors.
According to the complaint, when police asked some young women present at the pub to produce identity documents, Marmat and his companions allegedly objected, argued with the police, used abusive language, assaulted or threatened the officers, and obstructed them from carrying out their duties. Marmat was named as the primary accused in the case.
FIR and charges
Cubbon Park police registered an FIR against Marmat and three others: Abhay Uday Singh, a real estate businessman from Bengaluru; Nitish or Nitesh, the owner of a competitive examination coaching centre originally from Bihar; and Roshan, described as a bouncer.
The case has been booked under Sections 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt, 351(2) for criminal intimidation, 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, 132 for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, and 3(5) for common intention, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Police said Marmat and the others apologised for their conduct the following morning. A video of the confrontation later circulated on social media, bringing the incident into public view.
Officer profile and political context
Marmat is around 30 years old and originally from Rajasthan. He holds a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur. He was posted as Project Director of KADA in July 2024.
Kuppam, where KADA is based, is the home constituency of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Following the incident and the circulation of the video, the Chief Minister sought a detailed report from the Chief Secretary.
The opposition YSR Congress Party had accused the government of trying to shield the officer. The transfer appears to be the administration’s response to the controversy.
The investigation in Bengaluru is still under way.
