Dispute over mobile phone charging turns violent on Jabalpur Highway; Kalamna police arrest dhaba owner

Nagpur: A 28-year-old Tata Motors engineer and two of his friends were allegedly attacked with iron rods and wooden sticks following a dispute over charging a mobile phone at a dhaba on the Jabalpur Highway under the jurisdiction of Kalamna Police Station.

The complainant, Ajay Rajesh Pandey (28), a resident of Kapsi, had visited the dhaba owned by Kapil Deva Shahu (33), a resident of Sanjay Nagar Railway Colony, along with five friends on September 13.

According to the complaint, one of Ajay's friends plugged his mobile phone in for charging at the dhaba counter. Shahu allegedly objected, leading to an argument. The group subsequently left without eating and went to another dhaba located opposite the spot.

Later, as one of their motorcycles had been left at Shahu's dhaba, Ajay and his friends returned around 9 pm to collect it. Police said Shahu and two unidentified men allegedly confronted them and questioned them about why they had not eaten at the dhaba.

The accused allegedly picked up iron rods and wooden sticks and attacked Ajay and his friend Suraj (30). Ajay sustained injuries to his hands and legs, while Suraj was injured on his thigh. Another friend, Deepak Nechwani, was allegedly punched in the face.

The accused allegedly continued attacking the other members of the group with wooden sticks, forcing Ajay and his friends to flee the spot on their motorcycles.

The injured were subsequently taken to Mayo Hospital for treatment.

Kalamna police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police arrested Shahu at around 4.54 am on September 14. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the two unidentified accused.