Pune: Three Arrested for Assaulting Rickshaw Driver, Throwing Him Off Bridge Near Navale Bridge

Pune, 19th May 2026: Three men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting an autorickshaw driver and throwing him off a bridge near Navale Bridge in Pune following a dispute over picking up passengers. The incident, which came to light after a video of the assault went viral on social media, has triggered concern over recurring clashes among rickshaw drivers in the area.

The accused have been identified as Bapuso Balasaheb Bhosale, Ganesh Haribhau Dharpale and Ganesh alias Bhavadya Haribhau Dharpale. A case has been registered at Ambegaon police station and all three accused have been taken into custody within hours of the video surfacing online.

According to police, the incident took place on the Katraj–Navale Bridge highway stretch where an argument broke out between autorickshaw drivers over ferrying passengers. The dispute soon escalated into violence after the accused allegedly intercepted autorickshaw driver Suraj Manik Kale and assaulted him on the road.

Police said the attackers allegedly kicked and punched Kale and also assaulted him using sharp weapons and other objects. After severely injuring him, the accused allegedly threw him off a bridge near the Rajmata underpass in a shocking act that created panic in the area.

Kale, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to Bharati Vidyapeeth Hospital for treatment. Police said his condition is currently stable and he remains under medical care.

A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing a group of men brutally assaulting the rickshaw driver. Following the viral clip, police launched an immediate investigation and formed special teams to trace the accused.

According to local residents, disputes among autorickshaw drivers over picking up passengers are common in the Navale Bridge area. However, the latest incident escalating into an alleged attempt on life has created fear among citizens and commuters in the locality.