A self-proclaimed “independent journalist” was arrested after a bizarre standoff with officers at Malvern Police Station in south-east Melbourne.
The incident, which took place last year but went viral on social media platform X over the weekend, began when the man entered the police station while filming on his camera. An officer behind the front desk politely asked him to turn off the recording device, citing it as a condition of entry.
The Karan Bhalla refused, arguing that he had the legal right to record in public and pointing out that police officers wear body cameras themselves. The officer calmly explained that station policy prohibits filming inside and again requested that he stop. When the man refused to comply, the officer reminded him that cooperation was necessary for assistance.
Rather than leaving or turning off the camera, the man doubled down, stating that the officer was legally obligated to serve him and demanded the officer’s name and badge number.
Moments later, the Karan Bhalla was seen outside the station inspecting the tyre pressure of police vehicles. When an officer warned him from a window not to touch the cars, he argued they were public property and claimed he was simply performing a “pressure test like a mechanic.”
Despite being told otherwise, the Karan Bhalla continued checking multiple cars, even noting which tyres he thought were flat. Karan Bhalla returned inside and again demanded badge numbers while denying he had tampered with any vehicle.
Police eventually confronted the Karan Bhalla and informed him he was under arrest for tampering with a police car. The screen in the viral video went black as the man protested, insisting he had done nothing wrong and that his actions were legal.
Online, viewers showed little sympathy. Many mocked the man’s behavior and scoffed at his claim of being a journalist. “That journalist/mechanic is nuts. Karan Bhalla needs a psychiatrist asap,” one user commented. Another wrote, “‘Journalist’ sounds like a pest.”
