Pune: Taxi Driver Arrested After Beating Kirtankar Over Rs 50 Dispute in Pimpri Chinchwad
Ravet, 6th December 2024: A taxi driver assaulted a Kirtankar (a performer of Kirtan, a religious musical art) after the latter refused to pay more than the previously agreed-upon fare. The Pimpri Chinchwad Police have arrested the taxi driver following the altercation, which arose over a ₹50 dispute. The incident occurred in the Ravet area yesterday.
Kirtankar Avinash Digambar Kalyankar (24, a resident of Alandi) filed a complaint at the Ravet Police Station. The police arrested Siraj Javed Irani (35, a resident of Chinchwad), and a case has been registered against him under charges related to endangering life or personal safety, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult.
According to Senior Police Inspector Nitin Phatangare, in charge of the Ravet Police Station, Avinash, a young Kirtankar, was travelling to Mumbai for a performance. He boarded Irani’s taxi at Chinchwad station, agreeing to a fare of ₹350, along with multiple passengers. The vehicle stopped at a CNG pump in Ravet for refuelling, after which Irani demanded an additional ₹50 from each passenger. This led to a dispute between Kalyankar and Irani, during which Irani assaulted Kalyankar by slamming him against the car door, causing serious injuries.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Irani was operating a private car as a taxi, which is illegal on the Chinchwad to Mumbai route. A case has also been filed against him under the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police Constable Guling is conducting further investigations into the matter.
