A shocking incident unfolded in Pune, where a 33-year-old IT professional was brutally attacked in a case of mistaken identity. The incident occurred near Amar Tech Park on Airport Road around 3:30 AM on Thursday. The victim, a resident of Mahalunge and originally from West Bengal, was waiting to pick up his fiancée from work when he was ambushed by a group of three to four men.
The assailants attacked him with a koyta (billhook), leaving him with a fractured arm and injuries to his back and head. Fortunately, the attackers used the blunt side of the koyta, which prevented life-threatening injuries. A CCTV video of the attack has circulated on social media, causing concern among IT workers in the area.
Pune police acted swiftly, arresting two youths within six hours of the crime. The accused have been identified as Balaji Shivaji Munde and Siddharth Ishwar Daliya, both 19 years old and residents of Hadapsar. Police records indicate that Munde already has a criminal history.
Initial investigations revealed that the attack was a result of mistaken identity. According to the police, a cab driver allegedly instructed the attackers to target another IT employee because he suspected the employee of having a love affair with his female friend. When the intended target did not appear, the group attacked the victim out of frustration.
The victim was immediately taken to a hospital by his fiancée and bystanders. He is now in stable condition and has been discharged.
Assistant Police Inspector Ravikant Nandanvar stated that the two accused are in police custody until September 15, and the search for the cab driver who orchestrated the assault is ongoing. The case is registered at the Yerawada police station, and the investigation is continuing under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Maharashtra Police Act.