Kolkata: Auto driver arrested for punching woman in face for money

, Jan 16: An

driver punched a 25-year-old woman executive on a busy Kolkata street on Wednesday morning.

The victim works at the showroom of an automobile major. She usually takes a bus to Behala Chowrasta but took an auto on Wednesday.

Auto driver was arrested from sonarpur area within an hour

She took the auto at 9.50 am and got off at Taratala and handed driver Akhil Jana a Rs 50 note for the fare of Rs 10. When she asked for her change, the driver allegedly started shouting at her, demanding that she give him a Rs 10 note, reported TOI.

"The two got involved in an argument after the auto driver suggested she leave the rest of the money with him. As the driver tried to speed away, the woman tried to stop him. More argument followed. Suddenly, the driver allegedly punched her on her nose and sped off," said a police officer.

The woman was bleeding from the nose and trembling from shock. Some CESC officials, who were working in a nearby office, witnessed the assault and rushed to help her. They also helped police track down the driver.

After regaining composure, she went to the nearby traffic guard and lodged a complaint. The case was immediately transferred to New Alipore police and a case under IPC sections 323, 341, 354 (molestation), 506 and 509 registered. She was then taken to Vidyasagar Hospital for treatment.

Police started looking for Jana immediately and he was picked up from Sonarpur area of South 24-Parganas within an hour.

"We are taking this case very seriously. We will ensure that passengers cannot be taken for a ride by the auto drivers," said a senior police officer at Lalbazar.

OneIndia News