PUNE: The Bund Garden police on Monday night arrested two men and booked their accomplice on the charge of attacking the driver of a Shivneri bus with beer bottles over honking at the Maldhakka Chowk signal around 11.15pm on Sunday.
Sub-inspector Sachin Pawar, who is investigating the case, told TOI, “We have arrested Mangalwar Peth resident Badal Dhaware (28), who is a recovery agent with a private bank, and Kondhwa resident Mehboob Shaikh (26), who works with a mobile phone gallery, following an FIR lodged by victim Amol Gaikwad (34) of Dehu Road. A search is on for the third suspect, a 22-year-old youth, who is on the run.”
A magisterial court on Tuesday ordered Dhaware and Shaikh’s remand in police custody till February 10. Driver Gaikwad got six stitches to his head and an injury to left hand.
Pawar citied preliminary investigation and said, “The three men, travelling in car belonging to Kanadi, had blocked the road near Maldhakka signal while arguing with another motorist. The motorist claimed that the trio had grazed past his car before reaching the signal. Around this time, the Shivneri bus driven by Gaikwad came from the rear and stopped, as it could not move ahead due to the blocked road. After waiting for some time, Gaikwad started honking in an attempt to get the trio clear the road. But the latter got furious and attacked Gaikwad.”
Gaikwad told TOI on Tuesday, “I had dropped passengers at the state transport bus terminus at the (Pune) railway station and was on the way to the Swargate bus division when I stopped behind a car at the traffic signal. The car driver had picked up a dispute with the three men. I had to wait behind for nearly 15 minutes."
Gaikwad said, “I started honking on finding that the car was not moving ahead. The three men allowed the car to leave, but entered into the bus and attacked me with two beer bottles. I sustained head injuries. They also abused, thrashed and kicked me. I managed to apprehend Dhaware, while the two others took to heels. The three men did not cause damage to the bus that had no passengers. A police patrol rushed to the spot and took Dhaware into custody. After seeking medical treatment, I registered an FIR.”
Senior inspector Yashwant Gawari from Bund Garden police said,“Dhaware shared with us the identities of the other two men, Mehboob Shaikh and the 22-year-old youth. He said the bus driver had also abused them. Shaikh was later arrested.”