3 days Ago
Pune: An autorickshaw driver was arrested on Monday, two days after he and his accomplices allegedly abused, kicked, punched and hit with stones a businessman (25), his brother and his sister for honking at him at Guru Nanaknagar in Bhawani Peth around 2pm on Sunday. The Khadak police identified the arrested autorickshaw driver (31) as Sohaib Umar Sayyed, a resident of Kasewadi. His five to six accomplices have been booked on the charge of murder bid.
You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The injured businessman, Harsh Keswani from Guru Nanaknagar, is under treatment at Sassoon General Hospital for head injuries. He is also suffering from vomiting and dizziness. Keswani's brother, Karan (28), escaped with external injuries, and his sister, Nikita (31), suffered injuries to her hands and legs.
Senior inspector Shashikant Chavan said, "Sayyed, a jackfruit supplier, was unloading fruits from the autorickshaw for handcart operators in a narrow lane. Keswani came on a two-wheeler and honked on finding the road blocked. Sayyed told him to wait for some time before he removed the vehicle.
At this juncture, Keswani honked again and shooed Sayyed to clear the way, following which a dispute started between them." Chavan said a few more vehicles got stranded behind Keswani and their drivers also honked to clear the path. An enraged Sayyed held Keswani responsible for honking, abused him, hit him on his head with a stone and tore his clothes.
Keswani's grandfather, Bharat, brother Karan, and sister Nikita went there and sought reasons from Sayyed for misbehaving with him. Sayyed hurled abuses and threatened them with dire consequences. Later, Sayyed's accomplices joined him in the dispute and allegedly attacked Keswani, his brother and his sister.
They rained stones on them, causing injuries, Chavan said, adding that the grandfather of the victim escaped unhurt. The attackers fled after the police reached the spot. Sub-inspector Mahendra Kamble said they took Sayyed into custody based on Keswani's information.
A police team is searching for his accomplices on the run. Kamble said the attackers and Keswani were not known to each other. Sayyed does not have criminal antecedents.
He regularly supplies fruits to the handcart operators in the Guru Nanaknagar area. The injured victim's brother, Karan, was not available for comments when TOI tried to reach him over the phone..
