Honking: Pune’s PMPML Bus Driver Assaulted in Road Rage Incident

Pune, 23rd December 2023: In a disturbing incident of road rage, a Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus driver faced a violent assault, resulting in three stitches to his head. The altercation occurred on Wednesday in Ambavani village, Velha taluka of Pune district, when a heated dispute erupted between the bus driver and a cab driver and his associates.

The incident unfolded around 3.30 pm as the PMPML bus, en route from Vinzhar in Velha to Katraj Zoo in Pune, encountered a slow-moving car. The bus driver, in an attempt to navigate through traffic, honked at the cab, sparking anger from the car’s occupants. The situation escalated when the car abruptly stopped the bus, leading to a confrontation.

Assistant Police Inspector Ranjeet Pathare of the Velha police provided details of the incident, stating, “The person traveling in the car expressed his displeasure, threw an alcohol bottle at a bus tire, and physically assaulted the driver. The accused, who was under the influence of alcohol, was en route to dropping off his friend in Ambavane.”

The Velha police swiftly responded to the incident, arresting one of the assailants identified as Nilesh Sarpale, who was a passenger in the cab. However, the main suspect, responsible for assaulting the bus driver, remains at large.

Authorities have charged the arrested individual with assault and obstructing a public servant from performing his duty, in accordance with the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Police investigations revealed that Sarpale, also a cab driver residing in Pune, had visited his hometown in Velha and had been celebrating with friends prior to the altercation.

Recounting the harrowing experience, PMPML driver Tajas Gaikwad stated, “The cab had been tailing our bus for over 6-7 kilometers, creating a significant obstruction. Despite objections, the car continued to impede our progress. The situation escalated when an individual from the car threw an alcohol bottle at the bus, verbally abused me, and physically assaulted me by hitting my head against the bus door. I sustained an injury that required three stitches.”