Tourists Assault Taxi Driver After Car Collision in Nerul; Protest Erupts at Police Station

Navi Mumbai, April 5: A shocking incident unfolded in Nerul on Friday when a group of tourists allegedly rammed their car into a taxi, then brutally assaulted the driver after refusing to pay for the damages. The victim, Joaquim D’Souza, a taxi driver from Tuem-Pernem, was assaulted near LPK Road.

According to reports, the altercation began when the tourists' West Bengal-registered car collided with D’Souza’s taxi. Following the accident, the situation escalated as the group allegedly slapped and punched the driver when he demanded compensation. The incident sparked outrage among local taxi operators, who staged a protest at Porvorim Police Station, demanding swift action.

The police have detained the tourists involved and launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and eyewitness testimonies to ascertain the full sequence of events.

In a related case, a 32-year-old taxi driver, Aquib Shaikh, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly kidnapping a maintenance supervisor and coercing him into paying Rs. 1,119 as compensation for a minor vehicle collision. The incident took place on March 28 when Shaikh’s taxi collided with a truck driven by Venkatesh Kounder, a supervisor with Indu Earthmovers.

Shaikh, who was at fault, reportedly forced Kounder into his cab under the pretense of taking him to the police station but instead drove him to Chembur. There, he allegedly used Kounder’s phone to contact his employer and demand payment for a damaged side mirror. Fearing for his safety, Kounder transferred the money via GPay before being released near Sion Circle.

Both incidents highlight growing concerns about road rage and the safety of drivers, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and better public awareness.