Watch: Mumbai auto driver assaults passenger over fare dispute, arrested
The Mumbai Police has arrested an auto-rickshaw driver, Aqeel Yunus Shaikh, for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old passenger, Sohail Ansari. The incident took place on Saturday outside Mankhurd railway station after Ansari refused to pay an extra fare demanded by three auto-rickshaw drivers. The arrest was made after a video of the assault went viral on social media.
Police arrested Shaikh; two others remain absconding
The Mumbai Police announced the arrest on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, "A case has been registered along with the arrest of an accused in an incident near Mankhurd Railway station where auto-rickshaw drivers were seen assaulting a passenger over a dispute on paying the extra fare. The search for other accused is on." A senior police officer confirmed that two other suspects involved in the assault are still at large.
Watch the viral video here
Video showed Ansari being thrashed with a belt
The video of the assault showed one of the accused using a belt to hit Ansari, who was repeatedly punched and thrashed on his chest and head, resulting in injuries. Despite threats from the accused not to report the incident to the police, Ansari decided to file a case. Further investigation into the case is underway.
Recent Bengaluru incident saw auto drivers harassing Uber passenger
This incident mirrors another recent occurrence in Bengaluru where an Uber driver and his passenger were harassed by auto-rickshaw drivers near Indiranagar Metro station. In this instance, captured on video, the drivers insisted that the passenger cancel his Uber booking and take an auto-rickshaw instead while subjecting both him and his Uber driver to abuse and threats.
