Daijiworld Media Network – Lonavala

Lonavala, Nov 18: Tension gripped Lonavala near Pune after a quarrel between local and outstation cab drivers turned violent, with a video of the assault going viral on social media. The clip shows a man, identified as Sonya Gupta, thrashing an outstation cab driver and vandalising his vehicle with a stone.

In the footage, the cab driver can be heard saying he had only gone for breakfast, pleading with Gupta not to hit him. Ignoring his requests, Gupta continues to assault him while other drivers rush in to stop the attack. Gupta is also seen hurling a stone at the cab, damaging the vehicle.

Lonavala Rural Police later detained Gupta for questioning. “The video is circulating widely. Sonya Gupta has been detained, and a detailed investigation is underway,” said Police Inspector Dinesh Tayde.

Incidents of outstation cab drivers being targeted by local operators have been reported earlier as well, with allegations of political backing to such groups surfacing in past cases.