Road rage leads to firing, one injured

Nagpur: A 25-year-old man, Pritesh Patil, was injured in a firing incident at Hudco Colony on Sunday, an hour after a road rage fight his elder brother Palash had with Punesh Thakre. The latter, politically active with an outfit, also damaged two bikes parked in front of the residence of Patil family.
The gun shot, allegedly fired by Thakre, ricocheted off the wall and went past Pritesh, but a stray sharp object had pierced the victim’s abdomen. Presuming he has been injured by the bullet, the armed gang had fled the spot.
Palash, a former home guard, is preparing for police and army recruitment. He was returning home along with friends in a car when Thakre’s bike had blocked their way at a turning at Misal Layout. As both wanted the other to move their vehicle back, there was a scuffle and heated exchange of words.
The routine incident of road rage turned serious after Thakre roped in accomplices to teach Palash a lesson. While Thakre was carrying a firearm, the others had sharp weapons with them.
After the fight, Palash returned home and was having dinner when Thakre and his armed gang landed up at his place. As his parents stood in the way, the gang was unable to drag Palash out. Just then Palash’s brother Pritesh was coming down the staircase, and Thakre fired in his direction.
The bullet missed him and hit a wall, but a splinter of the bullet or wall pierced Pritesh’s abdomen. The gang fled the spot presuming he had been hit by the bullet.
Jaripatka police have arrested four persons so far, including Thakre, Manoj Kahalkar, Prajwal Paunipagar and Shubham Naranje.
Though sources said three empty cartridges were found at the place, police said only one shot was fired. Thakre has told cops he had brought the firearms from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
DCP Vikram Sali said most members of the gang were rounded up within four hours of the incident. Jaripatka police have invoked attempt to murder case against Thakre and the others.