’I felt insulted and humiliated’ says youth who assaulted rickshaw driver

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru: September 16, 2015:  "I felt insulted and humiliated, so I stabbed the autorickshaw driver, who admonished me in public for entering a one-way street,’’ confessed Puneet Salian, 24, of Kavoor Marakada, during investigation. He was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on Monday for attempt to murder.

Gopal Shetty, 50, resident of Panjimogaru was allegedly stabbed by Puneet, a carpenter, when he questioned the latter for breaking traffic rules. The incident occurred near Roopavani theatre on Market Road.

As soon as Shetty noticed Puneet violating a one-way, he stopped the latter’s bike. Shetty then took Punith to task for breaking rules, while a crowd gathered. After a brief verbal duel the crowd dispersed. However, Puneeth kept a close watch on Shetty’s movements. Puneeth went to a bar, had a drink and then purchased a knife with the intention to kill Shetty, police said.

After some time, Puneeth spotted Shetty near Roopavani Theatre. He stopped the auto and started abusing him. In a fit of anger, he stabbed Shetty in the abdomen leaving his bike behind. "We traced him from the bike recovered from the spot," said Sanjeeva M Patil, DCP (Crime and Traffic).

Patil said there was no old rivalry between the two. The victim is recovering.