Nagpur: Eight bikers on a wild romp, hours before midnight allegedly assaulted a traffic cop in civvies, wrecked his private vehicle and threatened to kill him following a frivolous traffic dispute near a shrine on Mankapur Road on June 28. Fourteen persons have been arrested.The cop, Kunal Singh, 35, attached to MIDC branch, was driving home when a group of motorcyclists with multiple pillion riders began zigzagging dangerously in front of his car, metres away from Martin Nagar culvert. Many of the bikes were fitted with double moped axles. When Singh honked to alert them, the bikers initially gave way but soon accelerated ahead towards Mankapur Chowk.Just before the traffic signal, one of the bikers allegedly hit the rear of Singh’s car. The situation escalated when the bikers blocked his path, formed an unlawful assembly, hurled abuses and issued death threats. The group hurled stones at the cop’s vehicle, smashed the rear trunk glass and dented the bonnet. As Singh stepped out to confront them, the mob assaulted him causing injuries on his neck and back. Residents intervened, forcing the bike gang to flee. Passersby noted a motorcycle’s registration number that aided police.Mankapur police promptly registered an FIR and 14 accused were arrested after analysis of CCTV footage and appeals for witness information. Senior inspector Haresh Kalsekar of Mankapur police station said three of 14 accused have a crime record.The road rage case comes after similar violent episodes plaguing Nagpur’s busy stretches, particularly around Martin Nagar, Mankapur, and adjacent areas. Triple riding and aggressive behaviour at night have become recurring issues, often leading to confrontations, say sources.Senior officers have assured strict action and increased patrolling, while residents demand better traffic enforcement.Police have seized details of multiple bikes involved, including different brands and models, before the perpetrators were rounded up.
