Pune: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) bus driver was brutally assaulted by a group of toll plaza workers at the Khed Shivapur toll booth near Pune.
The victim, identified as 34-year-old Praveen Bhagwan Nangare, was driving an ST bus from Guhagar (Ratnagiri district) to Swargate, Pune, when the assault took place around 6:30 PM on Thursday (September 19).
The altercation began when a truck driver dangerously cut in front of Nangare's bus at the toll booth and halted on the nearby weighbridge.
Nangare, concerned about the reckless driving, parked the bus and confronted the truck driver, questioning his actions. What should have been a simple inquiry soon escalated into violence when toll plaza employee Vishal Jadhav intervened.
Jadhav, instead of de-escalating the situation, reportedly began verbally abusing Nangare, accusing ST drivers of arrogance.
The situation worsened as Jadhav physically attacked Nangare, and within moments, 10 to 15 other toll plaza workers joined in, assaulting the ST driver.
Nangare sustained serious injuries during the attack. The conductor of the bus, who tried to assist his colleague, was also beaten by the toll workers.
Passengers on the bus and other bystanders quickly alerted the nearby police station, hoping for immediate assistance. However, two hours passed, and no police personnel arrived at the toll plaza.
To add insult to injury, the police instructed Nangare and his team to bring the bus to the Shivapur police station themselves.
Nangare has expressed his frustration, claiming that local police appear to be protecting the toll plaza workers involved in the assault. He has vowed to escalate the matter to the ST Workers' Union, seeking justice for the brutal attack.
