A 28-year-old man was assaulted in Puttur’s Gandhinagar after his car was stopped by two attackers. Police have launched a probe into the road rage incident.
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Road Rage Incident in Puttur: Man Assaulted After Car Stopped in Gandhinagar Village
By Shylesh, Crime & Civic Affairs Correspondent | June 9, 2025 | Puttur, Karnataka
PUTTUR — In a shocking act of road rage that disrupted the peace of a quiet evening in Gandhinagar, Kedila village, a 28-year-old man was allegedly stopped, verbally abused, and physically assaulted by two individuals in a targeted attack that is now under police investigation.
The victim, Abubakkar Rashik, a resident of Saroli in Kedila village, was reportedly driving home to Maripalla when his vehicle was intercepted by two men identified as Shafi Gadiyar and JCB Siddique. The incident took place late Sunday evening and has since sparked public concern over rising road-related confrontations in the region.
Puttur Man Assaulted in Gandhinagar Village After Car Ambush; Police Launch Investigation
The Ambush: What Happened?
According to preliminary reports filed at the Puttur City Police Station, Rashik was traveling alone when his car was stopped on a relatively isolated stretch of road in Gandhinagar. The assailants are said to have blocked his path, forced the car to halt, and then proceeded to abuse and physically assault him.
Eyewitnesses nearby claim they heard shouting and saw a commotion but were hesitant to intervene at the time. Rashik sustained multiple injuries and was immediately rushed to the Puttur Government Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
“It appears to be a premeditated act. We are investigating the motive and any prior enmity,” said a senior police official from the Puttur City Police Station.
Investigations Underway
Police have officially registered a case and begun inquiries under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including wrongful restraint, assault, and criminal intimidation. Both accused — Shafi Gadiyar and JCB Siddique — are said to be known to the victim, raising questions about the possibility of a personal dispute or planned confrontation.
The area where the incident occurred is not known for frequent violent encounters, which makes the nature and brazenness of the act even more concerning for locals.
The authorities have confirmed:
The vehicle used by the accused has been identified
CCTV footage from nearby establishments is being reviewed
Statements from the victim and hospital staff have been recorded
Community Reactions and Rising Safety Concerns
The incident has stirred strong reactions in the Saroli-Maripalla-Kedila stretch, with residents demanding increased patrolling and stricter law enforcement on rural roads where late-night movement is common but security is lax.
“What if this had happened to a woman or a student returning late from classes?” questioned Raufuddin, a local panchayat member. “This kind of lawlessness cannot be normalized.”
Community leaders and rights activists have also emphasized the importance of installing more surveillance systems, and ensuring functional street lighting in interior villages.
Larger Pattern? Road Conflicts on the Rise
This is not an isolated incident. Puttur and its surrounding taluks have seen a noticeable uptick in personal disputes manifesting on public roads, often involving:
Business rivalries
Property-related friction
Political factionalism at the local level
While most such encounters do not escalate to violence, police records from the past six months show a 17% increase in FIRs related to verbal threats, intimidation, and targeted blocking of vehicles.
What’s Next?
The Puttur City Police have stated that the case will be investigated with urgency, and arrests are expected shortly. A formal medical report on the victim’s injuries is awaited, which will further determine the severity of the charges.
Meanwhile, the Kedila Gram Panchayat is expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss civic safety and road monitoring mechanisms.
For Abubakkar Rashik and his family, the road to recovery is now as much about healing physically as it is about seeking justice — and reassurance that such acts will not go unchecked in a society that prides itself on its village harmony and social trust.
