Bengaluru, March 3 (IANS): A traffic sub-inspector was suspended on Tuesday for assaulting an ex-serviceman who helped in getting an ambulance out of the traffic gridlock on a busy thoroughfare in the city centre.

"We have suspended the inspector (Ganganna) for physically abusing Nagappa, an ex-serviceman, who allowed an ambulance to drive out of the traffic jam by removing a rope barricade tied to block access to a free passage on Palace Road," deputy superintendent of police (DCP) Rajendra Prasad told IANS.

Unseasonal rain during the day disrupted normal life due to water-logging and consequent traffic snarls across the city.

The police action came hours after local news channels aired footage of Ganganna accosting and hitting Nagappa, who was seen removing the rope and letting the ambulance drive away from the gridlock.

"Though Nagappa was not authorised to remove the barricade, the sub-inspector had no right to manhandle him when he was trying to help the ambulance to get out of the traffic jam," Prasad admitted.

In defence, Ganganna said in the process of helping the ambulance to drive away, Nagappa cleared the way for other vehicles, stuck in the jam, to also follow behind it on the otherwise blocked road.

Nagappa, who was on the spot on his cycle, however, said he removed the rope after a traffic constable on duty told him to do so.