Thane woman alleges auto driver slapped her after argument over drop route

Mumbai city news: The driver claimed that the woman had assaulted him first.

A 19-year-old woman was allegedly slapped by a 49-year-old autorickshaw driver in Thane on Friday. The driver claimed that the woman had assaulted him first. The police have registered cross-complaints.

On the other hand, an eyewitness said that Gharat had hit Pitale first, according to the police

According to the complaint registered by Pooja Gharat, a sales executive at an automobile showroom in Charai, she was slapped by Mahendra Pitale after he refused to take the route she wanted.

Gharat, a resident of Shahad, and her friend Aarti Duseja boarded the share autorickshaw at Alok Hotel near Thane station around 11am, read the complaint. The vehicle already had a passenger bound for Khopat.

“After the signal near Kalyan Jewellers, the driver did not turn left towards Gadkari, which leads to Charai. When I persisted, he asked me to get off and take another auto. This led to an altercation and he slapped me. Seeing this, some passers-by assaulted him,” said Gharat.

On the other hand, an eyewitness said that Gharat had hit Pitale first, according to the police.

D Swamy, deputy commissioner of police from Zone 1, said, “The driver told us that the girl attacked him first and tried to snatch his badge, after which he slapped her. An eyewitness seconded the driver’s version.”