Gurgaon Startup Couple Faces Violent Assault by Drunk Drivers After Road Dispute
A young couple from Gurgaon, who run a startup, found themselves in a harrowing situation on Saturday evening when they were allegedly assaulted by two intoxicated men following a road rage incident. The couple, identified as Sunil Raghav and his wife Puja Jain, residents of The Palms in South City-2, were returning home from Bawal when the confrontation erupted.
Road Rage Escalates into Life-Threatening Attack
According to the complaint filed by Puja Jain, the ordeal began when a white Baleno car, bearing registration number UP14FB-5754, nearly collided with their vehicle. The occupants of the Baleno, later identified as Ajay from Ghaziabad and Manoj Sharma from Delhi, were reportedly drinking alcohol and using mobile phones while driving recklessly.
Concerned for their safety, the couple signaled the Baleno to stop. Both vehicles pulled over on a flyover near Manesar Polytechnic, but the situation quickly turned hostile. Sunil Raghav stepped out first to confront the driver, leading to a heated argument. The two men then allegedly began assaulting him violently.
The attack took a more sinister turn when the assailants attempted to throw Raghav off the flyover. When Puja intervened to protect her husband, she too was beaten up. As the attackers tried to flee in their car, they allegedly attempted to run the couple over, putting their lives at further risk.
Police Intervention and Recovery of Illegal Firearm
Amid the chaos, Puja managed to call the 1091 police helpline. Although she could not clearly identify her exact location due to the distress, she remained on the line, allowing an emergency response vehicle, ERV 259, to track them down. The police intercepted the Baleno and apprehended the two men.
During the search, officers recovered an illegal pistol from the dashboard of the Baleno. The magazine was empty, but the occupants failed to produce a valid license for the weapon. A breathalyser test conducted at Manesar police station revealed that Ajay was heavily intoxicated, with an alcohol level of 52mg per 100 ml, while Sunil Raghav tested negative for alcohol consumption.
Legal Action and Investigation Underway
Based on Puja Jain's complaint and the recovery of the firearm, an FIR has been registered against Ajay and Manoj Sharma under multiple sections. These include Section 281 for rash driving, Section 125 for acts endangering life, Section 115 for voluntarily causing hurt under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 25(1B)(A) of the Arms Act for possession of an illegal firearm, and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act for drunk driving.
Police investigations revealed that Ajay works as a property dealer in Ghaziabad, while Manoj is employed with a private company in Delhi. "They had gone to Rajasthan for some property-related work and were returning to Delhi when the incident occurred. Ajay had taken the pistol recovered from the dashboard from a relative," stated an officer involved in the case.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded in custody. A police team led by ASI Mukesh and constable Hemant visited the scene for forensic mapping to gather additional evidence. The couple has submitted their formal complaint, but authorities note they are yet to reconnect for the next stages of the legal process.
This incident highlights the dangers of drunk driving and road rage in urban areas, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement and public awareness to prevent such violent encounters on the roads.
