A shocking case of violence involving autorickshaw drivers in Pune has triggered widespread outrage after a 30-year-old driver was allegedly beaten brutally and thrown off a bridge following a dispute over ferrying passengers. Police have arrested three accused in connection with the incident, which surfaced after a disturbing video of the assault went viral on social media.

The incident took place near the Dattanagar underpass and Navale Bridge stretch in Pune’s Ambegaon area during broad daylight. According to police officials, the victim, identified as Suraj Manik Kale, was attacked after an argument reportedly broke out among autorickshaw drivers over picking up passengers in the busy transport zone.

Authorities said the altercation escalated rapidly when the accused allegedly intercepted Kale on the roadside and launched a violent assault. Investigators stated that the attackers repeatedly punched and kicked the driver before allegedly using sharp weapons during the attack. In a horrifying turn, the victim was reportedly thrown from a bridge near the Rajmata underpass, causing severe injuries.

Police identified the accused as Bapuso Balasaheb Bhosale, Ganesh Haribhau Dharpale, and Ganesh alias Bhavadya Haribhau Dharpale. All three were taken into custody shortly after the assault video circulated online and drew strong public reaction. 

Officials involved in the investigation said preliminary findings suggest that the conflict may not have been entirely spontaneous. Police suspect there was a long-standing rivalry between the victim and the accused related to passenger pickups and territorial disputes among autorickshaw operators in the area. Investigators believe tensions between the groups had existed for nearly three years before culminating in the violent attack.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as commuters and local residents watched the assault unfold in a crowded public area. The viral video reportedly showed multiple men attacking Kale while bystanders looked on in shock. During the attack, the victim lost balance and fell from the bridge onto the road below, suffering serious injuries.

The injured driver was immediately rushed to Bharati Vidyapeeth Hospital for treatment. Medical officials informed police that although he sustained serious injuries, his condition remains stable and he is currently undergoing treatment.

Residents from the Navale Bridge and Katraj-Narhe road areas have expressed concern over recurring disputes among autorickshaw drivers, particularly over passengers and operating territories. Locals said arguments and confrontations are common in the region, but the latest incident has intensified fears about escalating violence among transport operators.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and confirmed that further investigation is underway. Authorities are also examining the viral footage and gathering statements from witnesses to determine the complete sequence of events and whether additional individuals were involved in the assault.