Cuttack: Chauliaganj police Sunday arrested an auto-rickshaw driver, who has been absconding after allegedly assaulting a fellow driver and two female passengers during Bali Yatra in November last year.
The accused was identified as Srikant Panda alias Bulbul, a resident of Nimapara in Puri district. According to sources, two girls hailing from Nuabazar area in the city had boarded the auto-rickshaw of Sanjay Kumar Das from OMP Square here to visit Bali Yatra ground November 10. Bulbul, who was also looking for passengers, drove his auto-rickshaw near Das’ vehicle and insisted the girls to sit in his vehicle. When the girls refused, Bulbul picked up a quarrel with them.
In a fit of rage, Bulbul attacked and assaulted the girls. He also brutally beat up the Sanjay. The accused pushed Das’ auto-rickshaw causing it to overturn and, thereby injuring the girls.
Subsequently, Das lodged a complaint with Chauliaganj police in this regard. However, the accused was on the run since the incident to evade arrest.
PNN
