In Thane, Maharashtra, authorities have been instructed to pursue serious charges against a cab driver who allegedly subjected an elderly man to a violent assault after the victim objected to him spitting on the road. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening near Jupiter Hospital, has sparked widespread concern over public behaviour and safety.
According to details from the Deputy Chief Minister’s office, the driver, who is not a local resident, reacted aggressively when the senior citizen confronted him for littering. The assault resulted in severe injuries to the elderly man. A video that circulated widely on social media captured the driver lifting a stone, apparently intending to strike the victim further.
Local party workers traced the driver, intervened to restrain him, and turned him over to officers at Vartak Nagar Police Station. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose political base includes Thane, strongly condemned the attack. He emphasised that such violence against someone simply highlighting improper conduct cannot be tolerated. Shinde directed the Thane police commissioner to register a case under relevant provisions for attempt to murder.
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The directive specifies charges under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with attempts to commit murder. This step reflects the gravity with which the matter is being treated at senior levels of the state administration.
As of the latest information, police have not yet formally registered a case because the victim has not come forward to lodge a complaint. Officials await the elderly man’s statement before proceeding with full legal action. The episode has highlighted tensions around civic discipline and the response to public confrontations in urban settings.
Shinde’s intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing incidents that undermine public order and respect for citizens, particularly the vulnerable. The case continues to draw attention as investigations prepare to move forward once the complaint is filed.