Pune: Elderly Man Files Complaint After Road Rage Incident; Appeals to CM and DGP Over Police Inaction

Manchar, 17th July 2024: An elderly man has filed a complaint following a road rage incident where a car driver deliberately hit his two-wheeler, causing an accident. The victim, Suresh Vishnu Shinde, 65, has accused the police of inaction and has appealed to the Chief Minister and Director General of Police for justice.

On 19th May, Shinde was travelling with his nephew, Arun Tukaram Kharat, on a motorcycle to Manjarwadi in Junnar Taluka for a marriage. As they passed through the limits of Jadhavwadi village, a Maruti Suzuki Swift Car approached from behind. When Shinde, who was riding pillion, spat, the spit hit the car. Angered, the car driver allegedly shouted, “Do you spit on us? Wait, I’ll show you!” and deliberately rammed the two-wheeler, causing Shinde and his nephew to fall hard. Shinde’s leg was fractured, and he was taken to Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital in Pimpri by ambulance.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, Shinde’s complaint was not registered at Manchar Police Station. Frustrated, Shinde wrote to Maharashtra’s Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, demanding that a complaint be registered.

Shinde’s complaint to the CM and DGP stated, “The car driver, with criminal intent, hit my two-wheeler from behind and attempted to kill me and my nephew. After hitting us, he fled without providing medical assistance or fulfilling any legal responsibilities. A case should be registered against him under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.”

Shinde’s son, Amol Suresh Shinde, also wrote to Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, detailing the incident and alleging that officers from the Pune Rural Police Force had attempted to help the accused, either directly or indirectly. The letter described how, after the accident, there was an argument over jurisdiction, with some allegedly claiming it belonged to Narayangaon Police Station. The Narayangaon police arrived at the accident spot almost an hour later and confirmed it belonged to Manchar Police Station. The letter further alleged that evidence, including CCTV footage, was tampered with. It demanded that complaints be filed under IPC Section 307 and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, and called for appropriate action to be taken.