The driver of the Mercedes Benz, who was arrested by the NM Joshi Marg police on Saturday for allegedly bashing a BEST bus driver following a collision, was remanded in police custody till Monday by the holiday court on Sunday.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

“The driver, Sham Narayan Mishra (57), as well as the other person in the car, Ajit Shetty, a cousin of Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, were booked under section 353 (criminal force or assault to deter a public servant from discharging his duty) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code,” said Sudhakar Gharge, senior inspector of NM Joshi Marg police station.

Gharge added that the police are looking for Shetty, who is absconding. He might approach the sessions court to seek anticipatory bail today. The inspector added that the Mercedes Benz (MH-14-AE- 6109) involved in the accident is registered under Suniel Shetty’s name.

The incident took place near Ambika Mills on Dr E Moses Road at 12.45pm when the bus operating on route number 351 collided with the Mercedez Benz and dragged it some distance. Ajit Shetty was in the backseat of the car.

The bus was stopped soon after the accident, following which Shetty and Mishra came out of the car and allegedly pulled Rajkumar Shinde (36) out of the bus and thrashed him.

While the police managed to detain Mishra, Shetty managed to flee.

Shinde is recuperating at BYL Nair Hospital and is stable. As per doctors at the hospital, Shinde suffered blunt injuries on his chest, abdomen and right shoulder. For the first few hours on Saturday, he was kept under observation in the emergency unit only to have shifted to general ward by evening.

“The medical reports show that there is nothing to worry about. He will be discharged in due course of time,” a doctor told dna.

BEST spokesperson AS Tamboli on Sunday said, “Currently, BEST is taking care of the medical expenses of the driver who was beaten on duty. The police are conducting their investigations and depending on their report, we will press for claims (medical expenditure and damage to the bus) from the accused.”