Pune: Man’s Plea for Compassion Ends in Brutal Assault and Ear Biting by Auto Driver

Swargate, 5th June 2023: A heated dispute over fare turned violent when an auto driver bit off a portion of a man’s ear. The incident took place outside the Swargate bus stand in the early hours of June 1, leaving the victim, Santosh Chavan, in shock and need of immediate medical attention.

Adding to his distress, two additional auto drivers joined forces to attack him when he attempted to intervene in a confrontation between the accused driver and an elderly woman accompanied by her granddaughter.

Santosh Chavan, a truck driver residing in Alibag, Raigad, had attended a family wedding on May 30 at Parvati Darshan and planned to return home the following day. While waiting for the bus at the Swargate terminus, he noticed an elderly woman and her 8-9-year-old granddaughter struggling with a heavy gunny bag filled with food grains. The woman earnestly requested the auto driver to transport them to their residence, located just 2-3 kilometers away, at a reasonable fare. However, the driver callously demanded Rs 150, refusing to exhibit any empathy.

Moved by the elderly woman’s plea, Chavan approached the auto driver, urging him to show compassion and assist her. Unfortunately, instead of heeding his request, the driver erupted in anger and began hurling verbal abuses at Chavan. To make matters worse, the autorickshaw driver summoned two of his acquaintances, who subsequently subjected Chavan to a brutal assault. In the midst of the chaos, the auto driver resorted to biting Chavan’s left ear, inflicting severe pain and injury. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the assailants fled the spot in fear when Chavan’s cries reverberated through the air.

With his ear mangled and bleeding profusely, Chavan wasted no time and immediately sought assistance from the Swargate police. However, instead of providing immediate aid, the officers advised him to prioritize his medical needs. Following their advice, Chavan rushed to the hospital where he underwent a surgical procedure, requiring ten stitches to treat his grievous wound.

Later an FIR was registered against the accused auto driver under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bavache is investigating the case.