Pune: An argument over washing vehicles with a pipe amid water cuts and scarcity turned violent at a housing society in Charholi on Tuesday morning, leaving seven people injured.Alandi police registered two separate complaints in connection with the incident. A 46-year-old autorickshaw driver and a 33-year-old private company employee lodged complaints against each other.Sub-inspector Ajit Kakade of Alandi police said the incident took place around 10.30am on Tuesday on the society premises, where the autorickshaw driver was washing his vehicle.“Society members alleged that the autorickshaw driver had connected a pipe to a common borewell to wash his vehicle,” Kakade said.One of the society members objected, pointing out that the society was already implementing strict water-saving measures due to the shortage. The member also told the driver that a message urging residents not to use water pipes to wash vehicles had been posted in the society’s group on a mobile messaging app.“He requested the driver to use a bucket instead of a pipe to wash his vehicle,” Kakade said.According to the complaint lodged by the society member, the autorickshaw driver and his family members allegedly abused him instead of complying with the water-saving measures. They also allegedly abused and assaulted other residents.“The society member alleged that the autorickshaw driver and his family members assaulted him and two other society members with a bucket,” the officer said.In his complaint, however, the autorickshaw driver claimed that he was washing his vehicle using a bucket when five society members abused him, his wife and two sons. He alleged that the members assaulted him and his family with a bucket.“When the autorickshaw driver’s wife and son were on their way to the police station, the society members locked the society’s main gate and did not allow them to leave,” Kakade said.Police have registered separate cases under sections 118 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 189, 190 and 191 (rioting) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).“Our investigations are on,” Kakade said.
About The Author
