Two arrested for hijacking truck, kidnapping driver

Two people were arrested on Wednesday for kidnapping and beating up a dumper truck driver and then stealing the vehicle.

Two people were arrested on Wednesday for kidnapping and beating up a dumper truck driver and then stealing the vehicle.

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The accused, Gajjanan Ghadge, 24, and Pradeep Panda, 22, had allegedly beaten up the driver Deepchand Patel, 20. and threatened him with dire consequences if he shouted for help on Tuesday. Senior inspector of Chembur police station, B Rathod said, “The incident took place around 2am on Tuesday night near the Bhakti Bhavan colony area of Chembur.

Patel was sleeping in the vehicle, when the two accused attacked him.”
“The duo beat him up and told him to hand over the truck keys. They also checked his pockets and took Rs 2,400 from him. They then hijacked the truck worth Rs2 lakh and decided to take it to Pune. However, while on their way, the truck collided with a jeep and the trio were flung out of the truck."

An officer from Chembur police, on condition of anonymity, said, “Patel fled from the spot. The police at Pune were informed about the accident and when they questioned the accused, they realised the duo were not the owners. On further grilling, they confessed.”

An employee working with the victim said, “We do not have any enmity with anyone. Patel did not understand what was happening.” Rathod said the accused did not know the victim.