Driver beaten and car stolen at Panvel! EDIT: Legal Opinion Needed

bharti22shresth · 2nd November 2009, 13:03

Sad to hear this. Hope you get clear from this mess soon.

BTW, a sincere piece of advice. As opposite to what everyone here is saying about getting your car back. I suppose it'll be wiser to get rid of it as soon as you get it back if at all you do. I know, you stand to loose a lot of your hard earned money because you'll have to bear the first year depreciation but trust me, once a car's stolen, it isn't yours anymore. Only God knows what these thieves change or do to our beloved vehicles.

Even my dad's maruti (barely 2 year old then and run only 10k) was stolen. The police did manage to find the vehicle but the condition still gives me goosebumps. The right side of the car was as if it was from a war scene. The engine number, VIN numbers had been scratched off. We simply refused that this was 'our' car and took a claim from the insurance company instead (sure that wasn't cake walk wither).

amit_mechengg · 2nd November 2009, 14:08

driver was interrogated. but he is innocent. he was damn terrified by the incident.

he stopped to pick up some customers. 2 guys with very good attire got in the car one was crying that is mother is admitted in alandi, pune and urgently drop us. then they said please take the car to a place and pick his brother too. as soon as his brother got in, he took out a gun and asked the driver to drive.
they took him to a deserted place where trucks were parked, took him behind the trucks and smashed him. he has wounds all over and his body is also swolen. then they asked him not to look behind otherwise they will shoot him.

then the disappeared with the car. then my driver started running behind them and reached the toll plaza. then one person called me and narrated the incident.

now the police experts are preparing a sketch of the suspects. the driver has very well registered their faces in his mind.

i think the chances of finding the car are now remote. this type of gangs must be very clever.

Spitfire · 2nd November 2009, 14:16

High possibility it will be used for a bigger crime. The risks taken to rob the car are too high.

Sad thing to happen. Hope you get out of this soon. Best of Luck.

amit_mechengg · 2nd November 2009, 14:23

this has become a very horrid experience for me now. i am unable to eat anything. i am having links with police dept. they are trying to help. but when there is a new group operating police are clueless.

emkay456 · 2nd November 2009, 14:53

From your last update, the incident seems to have happened afer getting on the expressway as you say the driver chased them on foot upto toll after getting beaten up !! Something quite astounding. On the contrary is is mentioned that he was beaten up where trucks were parked. Trucks parking on the Expressway ???

If the incident happened at Panvel then definitly he cannot chase upto toll on foot !!

Incidentally I was passing in the opposite direction from Panvel to Kharghar and has passed through Expressway exit point around 7:00. The traffic in both directions was very heavy !!

Technocrat · 2nd November 2009, 15:00

Damn thats sad to know Amit.

I hope this ordeal ends soon, All the Best.

MuraliR · 2nd November 2009, 15:04

How did the "other" person get your contact details to call and inform you.

The Wolf · 2nd November 2009, 15:17

Why do I get a feel that the driver and the thugs know each other, may be they are not friends but aquantances. The robbery is not really a plot put together by the driver, he is just a part of the whole plot

BTW, how badly is he beaten up?
Any broken bones, stitches??
Any wound on sensitive spots like eyes, privates, head??
Check your drivers mobile fone, try calling back all the numbers...you might find local booth calls or suspective numbers switched off.

p.s: The 500 bucks was retained by the driver for his kharcha paani coz he doesnt know when theyre gonna give his share to him, rest he gave it to them so that it still looks like he was mugged

issigonis · 2nd November 2009, 15:41

My two pennies worth :

1. If you get your car, dispose it off as the robbers would have likely misused it, and then some.
2. It is difficult to put your faith on the description of the driver, whom you.ve known for only two-three months - ask the police to investigate his past
3. Moral of the story : do not stop on the Expressway to pick up passengers. Better still - do not stop at all, unless absolutely necessary ( such as a medical emergency).
4. Get your insurance company on the job by providing them all documents so that you get the IDV asap.

Regards

Gilead · 2nd November 2009, 15:45

This is really scary news. Either your car must have must been used to committ some crimes (where guns were needed) or it was used as a getaway car. I pity your poor driver. I hope he recovers. He should be presumed innocent until evidence says otherwise. Good luck.

Lalvaz · 2nd November 2009, 17:48

Sad to hear this, and yes, I'm inclined to suspect theres more to this than meets the eye. However, you should be able to claim the insurance amount, even though it will take some time and you will lose some money on the whole affair.

Just goes to reinforce the point that you need to be extra cautious on the road. Keep your doors locked and try to avoid giving lifts if you are alone.

Hope your driver is not too badly injured.

prince_pervez · 2nd November 2009, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilead

Either your car must have must been used to committ some crimes (where guns were needed) or it was used as a getaway car.

He has a police complaint registered so that should be sufficient as proof that the car was not in Amit's possession at the time of any crime associated with the car. So that way Amit should be safe. Only thing that matters is the timing of the complaint and crime if any. rear thing.

amit_mechengg · 2nd November 2009, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Why do I get a feel that the driver and the thugs know each other, may be they are not friends but aquantances. The robbery is not really a plot put together by the driver, he is just a part of the whole plot

BTW, how badly is he beaten up?
Any broken bones, stitches??
Any wound on sensitive spots like eyes, privates, head??
Check your drivers mobile fone, try calling back all the numbers...you might find local booth calls or suspective numbers switched off.

p.s: The 500 bucks was retained by the driver for his kharcha paani coz he doesnt know when theyre gonna give his share to him, rest he gave it to them so that it still looks like he was mugged

no the driver is not involved. he is badly beaten up. the bone under is eyes is dislocated. his whole body is swolen.
the 500 rs were in front comp of the wallet and the rest in rear. they hurriedly took the notes out.

the sketch was drawn and was matched on computer. it belongs to a robber from SANPADA area. he is missing in 2-3 such dacoity cases. the police have informed all police stations. the driver immediately identified the person after the police showed him the original B&W photo.

i have also informed all toll nakas to notify me if they find any grey color suspicious indica.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuraliR

How did the "other" person get your contact details to call and inform you.

the driver gave my card to the person. he was unable to talk.

now i am planning to get gsm based security system with tracker in all my cars.

MX6 · 2nd November 2009, 22:53

Sad to hear all this. I've seen 2 - 3 people trying to hitch a hike when I drove down the route on 4 occasions. I've never stopped. Used to feel bad that some poor guy is standing in the middle of nowhere. But didn't stop because he wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. Thank god. It's a lesson. Anyway that apart, I wish you get the insurance procedures without much hassles. I'm pretty sure the stolen vehicle must have been used in a crime by now. Or even sold off at numerous second hand car bazaars that dot pune. But gun weilding goondas are a serious threat to security. My condolences to you on your car.

sierrakamat · 2nd November 2009, 23:04

i have had a similar experience with one of my patients who is the driver cum owner of his t permit indica your driver may be telling the truth armed goons in that area are a known entity give him the benifit of doubt.
the guns are incidental and the indica is easier to dispose,may be your driver is yelling the truth.

2nd November 2009, 13:03	#31
bharti22shresth BANNED Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: panchkula Posts: 362 Thanked: Once Infractions: 0/1 (10)	Sad to hear this. Hope you get clear from this mess soon. BTW, a sincere piece of advice. As opposite to what everyone here is saying about getting your car back. I suppose it'll be wiser to get rid of it as soon as you get it back if at all you do. I know, you stand to loose a lot of your hard earned money because you'll have to bear the first year depreciation but trust me, once a car's stolen, it isn't yours anymore. Only God knows what these thieves change or do to our beloved vehicles. Even my dad's maruti (barely 2 year old then and run only 10k) was stolen. The police did manage to find the vehicle but the condition still gives me goosebumps. The right side of the car was as if it was from a war scene. The engine number, VIN numbers had been scratched off. We simply refused that this was 'our' car and took a claim from the insurance company instead (sure that wasn't cake walk wither).
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 14:08	#32
amit_mechengg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 2,488 Thanked: 2,251 Times View My Garage	update! driver was interrogated. but he is innocent. he was damn terrified by the incident. he stopped to pick up some customers. 2 guys with very good attire got in the car one was crying that is mother is admitted in alandi, pune and urgently drop us. then they said please take the car to a place and pick his brother too. as soon as his brother got in, he took out a gun and asked the driver to drive. they took him to a deserted place where trucks were parked, took him behind the trucks and smashed him. he has wounds all over and his body is also swolen. then they asked him not to look behind otherwise they will shoot him. then the disappeared with the car. then my driver started running behind them and reached the toll plaza. then one person called me and narrated the incident. now the police experts are preparing a sketch of the suspects. the driver has very well registered their faces in his mind. i think the chances of finding the car are now remote. this type of gangs must be very clever.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 14:16	#33
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	High possibility it will be used for a bigger crime. The risks taken to rob the car are too high. Sad thing to happen. Hope you get out of this soon. Best of Luck.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 14:23	#34
amit_mechengg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 2,488 Thanked: 2,251 Times View My Garage	this has become a very horrid experience for me now. i am unable to eat anything. i am having links with police dept. they are trying to help. but when there is a new group operating police are clueless.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 14:53	#35
emkay456 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 388 Thanked: 7 Times	From your last update, the incident seems to have happened afer getting on the expressway as you say the driver chased them on foot upto toll after getting beaten up !! Something quite astounding. On the contrary is is mentioned that he was beaten up where trucks were parked. Trucks parking on the Expressway ??? If the incident happened at Panvel then definitly he cannot chase upto toll on foot !! Incidentally I was passing in the opposite direction from Panvel to Kharghar and has passed through Expressway exit point around 7:00. The traffic in both directions was very heavy !!
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 15:00	#36
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Damn thats sad to know Amit. I hope this ordeal ends soon, All the Best.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 15:04	#37
MuraliR BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 361 Thanked: 35 Times	How did the "other" person get your contact details to call and inform you.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 15:17	#38
The Wolf Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,118 Thanked: 71 Times	Why do I get a feel that the driver and the thugs know each other, may be they are not friends but aquantances. The robbery is not really a plot put together by the driver, he is just a part of the whole plot BTW, how badly is he beaten up? Any broken bones, stitches?? Any wound on sensitive spots like eyes, privates, head?? Check your drivers mobile fone, try calling back all the numbers...you might find local booth calls or suspective numbers switched off. p.s: The 500 bucks was retained by the driver for his kharcha paani coz he doesnt know when theyre gonna give his share to him, rest he gave it to them so that it still looks like he was mugged Last edited by The Wolf : 2nd November 2009 at 15:21.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 15:41	#39
issigonis BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 956 Thanked: 95 Times	My two pennies worth : 1. If you get your car, dispose it off as the robbers would have likely misused it, and then some. 2. It is difficult to put your faith on the description of the driver, whom you.ve known for only two-three months - ask the police to investigate his past 3. Moral of the story : do not stop on the Expressway to pick up passengers. Better still - do not stop at all, unless absolutely necessary ( such as a medical emergency). 4. Get your insurance company on the job by providing them all documents so that you get the IDV asap. Regards
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 15:45	#40
Gilead Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,142 Thanked: 60 Times	This is really scary news. Either your car must have must been used to committ some crimes (where guns were needed) or it was used as a getaway car. I pity your poor driver. I hope he recovers. He should be presumed innocent until evidence says otherwise. Good luck.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 17:48	#41
Lalvaz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,414 Thanked: 2,183 Times	Sad to hear this, and yes, I'm inclined to suspect theres more to this than meets the eye. However, you should be able to claim the insurance amount, even though it will take some time and you will lose some money on the whole affair. Just goes to reinforce the point that you need to be extra cautious on the road. Keep your doors locked and try to avoid giving lifts if you are alone. Hope your driver is not too badly injured.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 22:53	#44
MX6 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: City of seven islands. Posts: 2,877 Thanked: 231 Times	Sad to hear all this. I've seen 2 - 3 people trying to hitch a hike when I drove down the route on 4 occasions. I've never stopped. Used to feel bad that some poor guy is standing in the middle of nowhere. But didn't stop because he wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. Thank god. It's a lesson. Anyway that apart, I wish you get the insurance procedures without much hassles. I'm pretty sure the stolen vehicle must have been used in a crime by now. Or even sold off at numerous second hand car bazaars that dot pune. But gun weilding goondas are a serious threat to security. My condolences to you on your car.
	() Thanks

2nd November 2009, 23:04	#45
sierrakamat BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 246 Thanked: 77 Times View My Garage	i have had a similar experience with one of my patients who is the driver cum owner of his t permit indica your driver may be telling the truth armed goons in that area are a known entity give him the benifit of doubt. the guns are incidental and the indica is easier to dispose,may be your driver is yelling the truth.
	() Thanks