Kerala-bound truck chased for over 20 km; 1 severely injured in Maharashtra attack episode

Mumbai: Seven persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a truck driver and his assistant in a road rage incident in Maharashtra’s Nanded district, police said on Sunday.

The incident reportedly took place after a group of accused—some travelling in two vehicles and others on a motorcycle—claimed they were angered by the truck brushing past them near Hadgaon on Friday night.

The truck was carrying a consignment of fruits and was on its way from Pattambi in Palakkad district of Kerala to Nagpur, police said.

Chase of 20–30 kilometres and assault near Yavatmal

According to police, the accused pursued the fruit-laden truck for nearly 20–30 kilometres before intercepting it near Umarkhed in adjoining Yavatmal district.

Once the vehicle was stopped, the driver and cleaner were allegedly attacked using sticks and other objects.

The driver, identified as Alwin Pies, sustained minor injuries.

His assistant, Mohammed Nadaf Nisar Qureshi, suffered serious injuries to his skull and nose. He was admitted to the ICU of a private hospital near Nanded, around 600 km from Mumbai.

FIR registered, arrests made and police response

Police said an FIR has been registered against eight individuals, of whom seven have been arrested. All accused are local residents and are not linked to any organisation, they added.

The vehicles allegedly used in the incident are yet to be seized.

A senior police officer said, "Appropriate legal action is being taken. Some exaggeration and communal colour is being given to the incident, which is not true. Verification is underway, and action will follow accordingly," without elaborating further.