Pune: A young woman from Chembur in Mumbai had to undergo emergency eye surgery after three men allegedly hurled stones at the car she was travelling in during a road rage incident near the Punawale underpass on the Katraj–Dehu Road bypass on Dec 6.The woman, identified as Puja Gupta (28), was in the passenger seat of the car being driven by her fiancé. They were returning to Mumbai after visiting the man’s parents in Gaikwadnagar, Punawale.According to the FIR registered at Ravet police station on Dec 7, the couple’s car allegedly brushed against a two-wheeler with three men and a tyre went over one of the men’s feet while overtaking. Though no one was injured the incident triggered an argument. The accused reportedly abused the couple and one of them hurled a stone at the windscreen which broke. The couple were inside the car and drove away in fear, but they got stuck in a traffic jam near the Punawale underpass. The accused chased them down and smashed the remaining windows and the rear windscreen.During the attack, a piece of shattered glass got lodged in the woman’s left eye and caused a severe injury. Gupta, who is an HR professional, was rushed to a private hospital in Chinchwad. Doctors performed an emergency corneoscleral repair surgery to save her vision.Gupta told TOI on Sunday that she had still not regained her vision although it was over a week since the surgery. “Initially, doctors had said one surgery would be enough. However, they had cautioned that another one may be required if my vision does not return. They are not sure whether my eyesight will ever be restored fully, since blood has accumulated in the left eye,” she said.Gupta said she had taken a month’s leave from work because of the injuries. She said, “I have my whole life ahead of me. It will be a major setback for me if my eyesight does not recover completely. The accused must be punished strictly, so that they think twice before hurting anyone again.”Senior inspector Nitin Phatangare of Ravet police said the altercation started after the car’s wheel allegedly ran over one of the accused’s feet, though he did not sustain serious injuries. “The argument escalated and led to the attack. The accused were detained and released after being served notices,” he told TOI.An FIR has been registered under sections 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 125 (rash or negligent acts endangering life or safety), 125 (a) (rashness or negligence that endangers life or personal safety), 324 (4) (mischief), and 352 (intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace or another offence) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).Gupta said she had requested the police to include the charge of attempted murder in the FIR. “This was not done and the accused were allowed to go home despite causing serious injuries. The police appeared more inclined to save the accused instead of taking strict action,” she alleged.Meanwhile, retired ACP Rajendra Bhamre said the city’s deteriorating law and order is driving a rise in road rage. “Minors are impressed with criminals, and the glamour associated with crime is playing a significant role,” he said. Bhamre said parents should take responsibility for their children instead of being overprotective, as “overprotection makes children aggressive” and can push them toward criminal activities.Activist Vijay Kumbhar said the absence of police is a key reason for rising road rage. “People react aggressively on minor issues without thinking about consequences. It is the administration’s responsibility to keep the situation under control. Unfortunately, authorities concerned are failing to discharge their duties,” he said.
