Ola Driver Transporting Fare from Andheri Assaulted, Dragged on Bonnet

A 27-year-old Ola cab driver who had earlier picked up passengers in Andheri was allegedly assaulted and dragged for nearly two kilometres on the bonnet of a car following a road rage altercation in Nerul on Friday night.

The victim, identified as Pradeep Kumar Pandey, had completed a trip after picking up two passengers from Andheri and dropping them off at Seawoods Grand Central Mall around 9:30 pm. Pandey was subsequently driving towards Sarsole to attend a family birthday party when the confrontation began.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incident occurred around 9:35 pm near Nerul pond in Sector 20. A Swift car driver, who had been repeatedly honking behind the cab, confronted Pandey after the cabbie changed lanes to allow the vehicle to pass.

The driver of the Swift allegedly accused Pandey of dangerously cutting in while overtaking. The confrontation escalated when the accused verbally abused Pandey and punched him on the nose. Pandey was also struck on the head with a bamboo stick, leaving him bleeding heavily.

When the accused attempted to flee the scene, Pandey stepped in front of the vehicle to stop him. The Swift driver then allegedly accelerated and drove off with Pandey clinging onto the bonnet.

Pandey was carried on the bonnet for nearly two kilometres. While holding onto the vehicle with one hand, he used his mobile phone with the other hand to record part of the ordeal. During the ride, Pandey repeatedly pleaded with the driver to halt the vehicle, warning that he could fall off and be killed, while shouting for help from onlookers.

Police registered an FIR regarding the assault and the dangerous act.