Pune: Driver Punches Woman in Face after Chasing Her for 2 km
A 27-year-old Pune woman was brutally assaulted by an elderly couple for requesting them to drive carefully after their car splashed muddy water on her. Watch this video to know more.
Road accidents aside, road rage is on the rise too. A recent incident in Pune has left people worried about their safety on the road and basic human behavior.
27-year-old Jerlyn Dsilva, a resident of Hadapsar and the marketing and communications manager at Pune’s Sheraton Grand Hotel, was involved in a shocking road rage incident on 21st July 2024. Jerlyn was on her way to a bakery in Baner with her neighbor's two children, aged 7 and 9, on her scooter at around 1:30 pm.
Suddenly, a speeding car overtook them, splashing muddy water. When Jerlyn tried to tell the driver to drive properly, he responded with abuse. Realizing it was unsafe to engage with the short-tempered driver, especially with two small children, she tried to ride away.
The driver chased Jerlyn for almost 2 km, aggressively overtaking other vehicles. Fearing for the children's safety, she took a left turn to park and talk calmly with the driver. However, before she could park, the driver blocked her way, got out of his car, and assaulted her. He snatched her hair and punched her twice in the face in front of the terrified children.
A couple passing by intervened and rescued Jerlyn. The driver tried to flee, but Jerlyn snatched the car keys. A woman in the car, who had done nothing to stop the driver, also tried to assault Jerlyn. People gathered, and a nearby police officer came to the scene. Jerlyn called the children's parents, who took them home, and informed her brother, who rushed to the site.
Jerlyn made a video explaining the incident while bleeding from her nose and mouth. She questioned Pune’s safety, expressed concern for the children, and demanded strict punishment for the attackers. The video went viral on social media, with people supporting Jerlyn and criticizing the driver, demanding strict punishment.
The police detained the driver and the woman. They took Jerlyn to Sassoon General Hospital for treatment. The police identified the driver as a 57-year-old retired engineer and the woman as his 52-year-old wife. Both remain unnamed. An FIR was filed against the couple under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections, the new criminal law replacing IPC.
The incident has left Baner residents seriously concerned about road safety and the lack of CCTV cameras in the area.
What do you think? Why did the elderly couple behave this way? Can Jerlyn be at fault too? Share your thoughts in the comments.
