Two Teenagers Held After Student Dies in Denpasar Assault

Denpasar — Two teenagers, IPKPP (16) and IKASS (17), are being held at the Denpasar Timur Police station after a university student, ESCS (23), died following an alleged assault in Denpasar Timur on Oct. 24, 2026.

The case was initially treated as a traffic accident. Police later concluded that ESCS had fallen from his motorcycle after the two teenagers allegedly pulled at his clothing and kicked him on Jalan Raya Puputan in Renon. He was taken to Wangaya Hospital but died from his injuries.

Police said the two teenagers were detained on the night of Oct. 24. The alleged assault is being investigated under Article 262 paragraph 4 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years when the conduct causes a person’s death.

Why the Denpasar case matters to foreign residents and visitors

The incident is a reminder that a road accident in Bali can become a criminal investigation when evidence indicates that another person’s actions contributed to a fatal fall. For foreign residents and visitors, the practical significance is that police may investigate the circumstances around an injury or death even when the first account identifies a traffic accident.

The alleged confrontation occurred near Grapari on Jalan Raya Puputan at about 2:30 a.m. Reports said it followed an apparent exchange of looks between the student and the two teenagers. One teenager allegedly kicked the student twice, while the other allegedly pulled his clothing and kicked him, causing him to fall onto the road.

Denpasar police have questioned five witnesses. Investigators are awaiting the autopsy results from Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital, also known as Sanglah Hospital, in Denpasar. The autopsy is expected to help establish the medical cause of death as the investigation continues.

Sources

• Bali Post — regional news organization
• VIVA Bali — regional news organization
• Radar Buleleng — regional news organization
• kumparan.com
• wartabalionline.com