Categories
A devastating assault on a 24-year-old Ola driver in Ghatkopar last August has left him paralyzed. Despite viral CCTV evidence, legal action stalled and the police initially dismissed the episode as a “fit of anger.” The State Human Rights Commission has now intervened, as his family fights to reclaim justice and dignity.
Mumbai Ola Driver Left Paralyzed After Brutal Assault, Still Unable to Resume Normal Life
The Assault That Changed His Life
Last year, on August 18, in Ghatkopar West near Asalpha Metro Station, a minor collision between an Audi and an Ola cab escalated horribly. The Audi, driven by Rishabh Bibhas Chakravorthy, brushed the Ola driven by 24-year-old Kayamuddin Qureshi. What began as a fender-bender turned violent when Chakravorthy allegedly, along with his wife Antara Ghosh, subjected the driver to a brutal attack. CCTV footage shows Chakravorthy lifting Qureshi and slamming him to the ground head-first. Ghosh reportedly snatched the cab’s navigation device in the chaos.
Qureshi suffered grievous injuries to his head, along with fractures in his hands and legs. He was initially taken to Rajawadi Hospital, then shifted to JJ Hospital due to the severity of his condition.
Legal Lapses and a Fight for Recognition
Despite compelling video evidence, the police response was distressingly slow. The duty officer initially characterized the violent assault as a “fit of anger,” which the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) later flagged as dangerously dismissive.
The SHRC took suo motu cognizance of the case, calling it a broader human rights violation. Commissioners summoned senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone VII, and the Ghatkopar Assistant Commissioner, to conduct a fact-finding inquiry based on media reports dated September 1, 2024. Free Press Journal
The police eventually registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—Sections 115, 117, 351(2), and 352—all of which pertain to hurt, grievous hurt, criminal intimidation, and insult. Notably, these charges are non-cognizable under the new BNS codes and do not require immediate arrest. Instead, notices were issued under Section 35(3), allowing the accused to secure bail swiftly.
Family’s Uphill Battle for Justice
Qureshi’s elder brother, Zainuddin Qureshi, voiced deep frustration with the police’s apparent indifference and sensitivity toward the powerful. The family was forced to wait 7–8 hours just to lodge an FIR, with the police allegedly downplaying the crime as an accident rather than a willful assault.
It was only when social worker Farhan Shaikh stepped in that the family found the encouragement to push forward. Now, with the SHRC’s involvement, they hope the inquiry will bring overdue accountability.
Living with the Consequences
Nearly a year on, the 24-year-old remains immobile—his life irrevocably altered. The physical pain is matched by emotional trauma and uncertainty about his future. Even path to basic justice seems hampered by bureaucracy and procedural delays. Although CCTV footage made the incident public, this has yet to translate into meaningful rehabilitation or restitution for Qureshi.
Broader Reflections: Accountability, Human Rights, and Systemic Failures
This case spotlights multiple systemic gaps. First, the tendency to minimize violence in road disputes—calling assault a “fit of anger”—reflects a culture of impunity when the powerful are involved. SHRC’s intervention underscores the need for oversight when basic dignity and human rights are violated. Free Press Journal
Second, loopholes in the BNS framework—non-cognizable offense categories and easy bail—raise concerns about whether violent offenders face adequate consequences. Finally, the family’s ordeal highlights how marginalized individuals often struggle to get their voices heard in the face of institutional apathy.
The assault on Kayamuddin Qureshi did more than cause physical harm—it exposed failings within law enforcement and the justice system. The SHRC’s steps toward accountability are hopeful but need swift execution. For the driver, justice isn’t only about legal redress—it’s about dignity, recovery, and the ability to rebuild a life that’s been torn apart.
READ ALSO…….Rajgarh Cloudburst Claims 3 Lives, 2 Feared Missing in Ramban
