Pune: Couple, sons assault 3 PMPML staffers after tiff during traffic jam

PUNE: A 47-year-old Market Yard resident, angry over being unable to take a left turn in his car during a traffic jam on Shankarsheth Road, got into an altercation with the driver of a PMPML bus in front of him and beat him and the conductor, as well as a garage supervisor of the transport body, after calling his wife and two sons to the spot on Friday evening.
The Khadak police have booked the man and his family members for obstruction and voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant. The altercation took place near the Seven Loves flyover around 7.30pm.
Police said the bus was going to Swargate from Alandi when it was caught in the traffic jam near the flyover. Bus driver Laxman Dhumal turned off the ignition and was waiting for the road to clear.
"At this point, the man travelling in the car wanted to take a left turn into a lane going to his son's garage in Meera Society, but was unable to do so as the bus was in front of him. The man kept honking for some time before calling his family members from the garage to the spot. They picked up a quarrel with Dhumal and threatened to damage the bus," said assistant inspector Nitinkumar Naik.
Couple, sons assault three PMPML staffers after tiff in traffic jam on Shankarsheth Rd
He added, "As Dhumal reasoned with them that there was no scope for the bus to move further, the family of four, including the man's 16-year-old son, started hitting him with their hands and footwear. They also assaulted bus conductor Atul Kulkarni and PMPML garage supervisor S Wabale when they intervened. They continued with the assault even after passengers in the bus told them to refrain from doing so."
Dhumal sustained an injury caused by a blunt object and complained of severe pain in the stomach too, Naik said.
"The PMPML staffers noted down the car's number and called up the police. We have identified the family members and have served them a notice as of now, asking them to join the investigation. We will soon take a call on arresting them."
A case has been registered by the police for offences punishable under various sections including 353 (obstructing public servant from discharging of his/her duties), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).